Volvo and Its Commitment to Environmental Technology

By: Glady Reign

Volvo cars is continuously advancing its position as it tries to meet up with its commitment to sustainable mobility, investing considerably in environmental technology over the years. Volvo is also going to open a new hybrid technology center in Goteborg where the automaker will develop some of its future energy-efficient vehicles.

The company has a long tradition of environmental dedication -- proof of which is its three-way catalytic converter with Lambda Sond, engines running on renewable fuels, clean factories and world-class emission control technologies.

It was in the year 1976 when Volvo Cars first introduced the three-way catalytic converter with Lambda Sond. It was considered a breakthrough for the emission control technology since more than 90 percent of the harmful emissions could be eliminated with the new technology. Today almost all petrol-powered cars are equipped with a three-way with Lambda Sond.



In 1995, Volvo once again achieved another breakthrough when it produced the very first Bi-Fuel models that can run on renewable bio-methane, with petrol serving as the backup fuel. The use of bio-methane on vehicles makes a negligible net contribution of fossil carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. And at present this fuel technology is available on the European market particularly equipped in the S60 and V70 models. Volvo's smaller platform, the S40 and V50are equipped with FlexiFuel engines that run on bio-ethanol E85 consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol reducing net emissions of fossil carbon dioxide by 80% compared to petrol. Half of Volvo's current models can be specified with engines that run on renewable fuel.

Volvo has also made advancement in the area of emission control technologies. At present 95 and 99 percent of regulated emissions are currently dealt with by Volvo's emission control and about 95% of soot particles in diesel exhaust gases are eliminated by modern particulate filters. In fact in some traffic environments, the exhaust gases from Volvo's cleanest engines are cleaner than the surrounding air. Amazing!

Volvo also takes the lead when it comes to developing concept cars since it gives them the opportunity to evaluate various technologies and strategies. One good example of Volvo's concept cars is the 3CC which is a car powered by an electric motor and represents what future cars will look like. Volvo's high-performance Multi-Fuel car which offers an extremely clean engine and can run at no less than five fuels is also one of Volvo's important creations.

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