Mack Trucks uses renewable diesel to move completed trucks off Pennsylvania production line

Photo: Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks announced April 24 that, to help improve sustainability efforts and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, it now uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)—also known as renewable diesel—as fuel to move completed Class 8 vehicles off its production line at Lehigh Valley Operations in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

“The utilization of HVO will help Mack in its journey to promote the decarbonization of the transportation industry,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Whether it’s through the use of HVO, or through the development of Mack battery-electric vehicles, such as the Mack LR Electric refuse and Mack MD Electric models, Mack is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and achieving our sustainability goals.”

All Mack Class 8 models for North America and export are produced at its Lehigh Valley Operations.

It is estimated that by utilizing HVO, Lehigh Valley Operations was able to reduce carbon emission by about 18 percent.

The Mack MD series is produced at Roanoke Valley Operations in Salem, Virginia.

According to Mack Trucks, the Salem, Virginia, plant has plans to begin utilizing HVO this year.

HVO has the same chemical and physical properties as diesel fuel but with a lower carbon content.

This means that it can be used as a replacement fuel to help improve sustainability without sacrificing Mack’s best-in-class engine power and performance.

Mack engines also do not need modifications to accommodate HVO.

HVO is produced from lipid sources, such as waste vegetable oils and tallow, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse-gas emissions.

It is processed using hydrotreatment to achieve high purity levels, enabling HVO to be used, pumped and handled virtually the same way as diesel products.

HVO can be used interchangeably with petroleum diesel.

Renewable diesel at any blend up to a maximum of 100 percent (RD100) that conforms to ASTM D975 or EN15940 will not adversely affect engine or aftertreatment performance or durability.

Mack Trucks is part of the Volvo Group.

Volvo Trucks North America also announced recently that it is fueling newly assembled trucks with renewable diesel as they depart from the Volvo Trucks New River Valley Assembly Operations in Dublin, Virginia.