Easier to choose a fuel-efficient solution

Lars Mårtensson

Lars Mårtensson, Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks, believes the new EU legislation goes hand-in-hand with Volvo Trucks’ own climate focus.

What is the new EU legislation?
“From 2019, heavy-duty trucks sold in Europe need to declare fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These values will be determined by simulations to calculate the expected fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, based on separate measurements of all relevant components.”

Why is this legislation needed?
“Heavy-duty trucks account for roughly five per cent of CO2 emissions in Europe. This will need to be reduced if the EU is to meet its climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission from transports by 30 per cent by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels).”

Why is it necessary to have a calculation tool instead of an industry wide standard like Euro 6?
“Heavy-duty trucks are typically custom-built to meet specific customer requirements, and come in a wide variety of configurations. All these factors affect fuel consumption and make it impossible to measure each vehicle. However, with the simulation tool and measurements, it is possible to calculate specific CO2 emissions and fuel consumption for each individual truck configuration. Since all data will be calculated and declared using a certified process, this will ensure consistency.”

Overall, the declared values will make it easier for truck owners to choose a fuel-efficient solution for their business.

Lars Mårtensson

Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks

How will this legislation affect truck owners?
“The declared values will offer greater transparency and make it easier to compare customised offers from truck manufacturers. It will also help transport operators get a better insight into how fuel consumption and carbon emissions are affected by different factors, such as aerodynamics and rolling resistance. The focus on climate will increase. Overall, the declared values will make it easier for truck owners to choose a fuel-efficient solution for their business.”

How reliable will the declarations be?
“The CO2 and fuel consumption declaration is based on a standardised computer simulation and on average European driving conditions. However, the calculations do not take into account the driver’s skill level, unique driving conditions or the impact of technological innovations such as some manufacturer-unique fuel efficiency solutions. It should therefore mainly be used as a guide when comparing the relative differences between vehicles and Volvo Trucks will continue to guide its customers to choosing the best solution.”               

What is Volvo Trucks’ position on the new legislation?
“We welcome the new legislation! After all, it goes hand in hand with our own environmental engagement and our climate focus. We believe that it is beneficial that we can provide truck buyers with fuel consumption information based on common measurement methods. It will make it easier for our customers to select a fuel efficient vehicle with lower CO2.”


The European Union’s strategy for combating carbon dioxide emissions consists of three steps.

Declaration: The first step comes into force on 1 January 2019, when all truck manufacturers must declare CO2 emission and fuel consumption values for newly produced trucks.

Monitoring and reporting: The second proposed step will require truck manufacturers to report their declared values to the EU, who in turn will publish public reports. If approved, this will come into effect from 28 February 2020.

Limit values: The expected third step is the introduction of CO2 limit values. A final draft for regulations governing these limits is expected by September 2019. 

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