Volvo Trucks backs Obama fuel efficiency initiative

Denny Slagle, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Trucks North America, participated in an event at the White House during which President Obama signed a presidential memorandum aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The memorandum outlines principles agreed to by Volvo Trucks, the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other heavy-duty truck and engine companies. Also joining Obama were DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

“Participating in this effort is consistent with measures we already have in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and our products,” Slagle said. “Volvo Trucks joined the EPA’s Climate Leaders Program in 2004 as one of the original charter companies. We pledged to reduce GHG emissions from our operations by 20% per unit from 2003–2010, and we’re working toward this goal through implementation of various energy efficiency and renewable energy use initiatives at both our New River Valley plant and Greensboro Campus. Late last year, we also signed on to US Department of Energy (DOE) Save Energy Now Pledge calling for the industrial sector in this country to reduce energy intensity by 25% over the next 10 years.

“In addition to the good work at our facilities, we’ve also reduced the carbon footprints of our products. Using less fuel is good for our customers’ bottom lines, as well as the environment. With the SCR technology we’re using to meet the EPA2010 emission requirements, we’ve improved the fuel economy of our trucks by 5%—or more in some applications.