Volvo Trucks’ CARB-24 compliant engine ready for certification (and its new Class 8 trucks)
ANAHEIM, California—Volvo Trucks North America now has a diesel engine that meets stringent California emissions regulations, the OEM announced during the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo. Volvo leaders said they are applying—and expecting to receive this year—the California Air Resources Board 2024 Omnibus certification.
The CARB-24-targeted engine was built on the Volvo D13 VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) engine platform, which launched with Volvo’s refreshed Class 8 VNR tractor earlier this year. The engine is designed to obtain a certification at the 0.05g NOx rating with reduced particulate matter emissions. This new engine is part of the Volvo Group’s intentions to make heavy-duty transportation net-zero by 2040.
“We see this mainly for the omnibus markets—right now that’s California only,” Johan Agebrand, VTNA director of product marketing, told FleetOwner during ACT Expo. However, he added that there are talks about amending CARB’s even more stringent Advanced Clean Trucks regulations, which could make an engine like this more alluring to states that aim to follow California's transportation regulations.
CARB adopted the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus Regulation in 2021 in an effort to cut smog-creating nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty vehicle engines. Along with making the NOx emissions standards more stringent, the California regulation also requires manufacturers to offer longer warranties on heavy-duty diesel engines in vehicles with a GVWR higher than 10,000 lb. (Class 3 through 8).
See also: Clean transportation adoption today: Renewable fuels up, ZEVs down
“We have customers, mainly in the restricted state, where there’s low availability of vehicles because they don’t want to buy an electric vehicle, they want to buy a diesel,” Agebrand said. “We have a lot of customers that are waiting for these solutions.”
Once certified, Volvo Trucks customers will be able to spec the CARB-24 Omnibus compliant engine in the new Volvo VNL and VNR models, with expected available configurations of 425 hp/1,750 lb.-ft. of torque or 455 hp/1,850 lb.-ft. of torque.
CARB’s Omnibus regulations aim to reduce NOx emissions by 75% and PM by 50% from heavy-duty on-road engines for engine model years 2024 through 2026—compared to current federal EPA standards.
In addition to reduced NOx and PM emissions, the new D13 VGT engine will enhance fuel efficiency through several innovations: a shorter seven-wave piston for improved combustion, a longer connecting rod to reduce friction, a precision needle control valve for optimized fuel flow, and a variable displacement oil pump to minimize parasitic losses. The improvement in fuel efficiency is also expected to have a direct and significant impact on CO2 reduction.
Volvo Trucks’ new engine features an advanced emission control system, including a fully serviceable linear exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) and an integrated 48V heater used during startup and low-load situations to achieve the stringent ultra-low NOx targets. Each EATS component is designed for individual servicing or replacement, minimizing waste and maximizing operational lifespan.
This new engine complements Volvo Trucks’ earlier launch of the CARB-24 engine for the legacy VNL and VNR models. Volvo’s new CARB-24 Omnibus D13 VGT is expected to be available by the end of this year.
