Producing vehicles that are green in terms of the emissions they produce while on the road is one thing – but producing these vehicles in a green manner is another thing entirely.
So it is welcome news to read about the efforts that have been made by Volvo Trucks to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from transport to and from the company’s European factories.
According to Ake Niklasson, the CEO of Volvo Logistics, the aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010. There have been improvements made in many areas including driver education for more fuel efficient driving; combining loading and new packaging for better efficiency; increasing low blend of bio-diesel into fossil diesel; using more fuel efficient vehicles and renewing the vehicle fleet; and increasing co-ordination of land and sea transport.
During the first year of the project, emissions from factory transports were reduced by four per cent and Ake Niklasson is keen for further improvements.
“Together with our transport partners, we have gone over our operations with a fine-toothed comb to find new areas showing potential for improvement,” he said.
“What’s more, in several cases our green initiatives have increased transport efficiency and reduced costs. Naturally, these are very welcome side effects.”
