Volvo 2013 Annual Report Download - page 38

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A GLOBAL GROUP 2013 BUSINESS MODEL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Renewable and alternative fuels
Carbon dioxide-neutral transport means that
vehicles are powered by fuel produced from
renewable raw materials such as biomass.
Reducing dependency on fossil fuels such as
oil, coal and natural gas by increasing the use of
renewable fuels makes business and environ-
mental sense. The Volvo Group’s research on
renewable fuels is mainly focused on Methane
Diesel and DME (dimethyl ether).
DME is energy effi cient and has a low envi-
ronmental impact. Estimates show that by
replacing conventional diesel with BioDME,
carbon dioxide emissions could be cut by 95%.
In June, Volvo Trucks announced that the
company will become the fi rst manufacturer to
commercialize DME in North America.
In November, Volvo Trucks announced that, in
spring 2014, it would introduce two Euro 6
engines of 240 hp and 320 hp powered using
pure RME (rapeseed methyl ester). The engines
will be available in the new Volvo FE and Volvo
FL models.
Safety
Safety has been a guiding star for the Volvo Group
since 1927. The ultimate goal is zero accidents
with the Group’s products. To work towards this
goal, systems that prevent accidents from
happening in the fi rst place and reducing the
consequences if an accident does occur, are
continuously developed.
The Volvo Group’s future product development
focuses on active safety features and pas sive
safety features, such as vehicle stability, visibility
support, lane keeping support and body protec-
tion in the cab.
Approximately 90% of all traffi c accidents are
caused by human factors. One of the most com-
mon causes of accidents is the lack of driver
attention to the road. Finding ways of reducing
the risk of accidents caused by fatigue or inat-
tention can have a large impact. Today’s driver
assistance systems include, for example, warn-
ing systems and driver awareness support. In
most cases the driver is simply warned when
something is wrong.
City Mobility Program
The Volvo Group’s City Mobility Program brings
together key stakeholders in cities to implement
sustainable and integrated innovative pilot pro-
jects. The program includes new technologies
for improving energy effi ciency and reducing
emis sions, developed by the Volvo Group, such
as hybrid and electric vehicles. The City Mobility
Program is being deployed in several cities
around the world, such as Gothenburg, Stock-
holm, Hamburg and Luxembourg. During the
year, Montréal became the fi rst city in North
America to take part in the Volvo City Mobility
Program.
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