Fossil-free green fuel trucks

Tests carried out by Konecranes show the latest generation of Konecranes lift trucks can use HVO100 fossil-free, renewable diesel.

“Konecranes is stepping up efforts to decarbonise not only its own operations, but those of its customers. Fossil-free fuel, together with our energy-efficient Lift Trucks, provide a great opportunity for our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and give us a strong competitive advantage,” said Mikko Välimaa, VP for health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) and sustainability at Konecranes.

100% renewable

HVO100 is a 100% renewable and fossil-free chemical copy of regular diesel made mostly of vegetable oils as well as suitable waste and residue fat which can reduce fossil-based carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 90%. With nearly the same characteristics as regular diesel, renewable HVO100 can be used in most, but not all, diesel engines without further modification.

Starting in Q4 2020, Konecranes has been testing HVO100 in selected lift trucks at its Markaryd, Sweden factory and found the fuel works as efficiently as regular diesel, with no engine modifications needed. The results mean HVO100 can be used in all of Konecranes’ latest generation of lift trucks, Generation C, representing approximately 40% of the company’s fleet operating globally.

The potential for significant emission reductions is clear. Looking at Markaryd alone, the estimated reduction of tailpipe CO2 emissions from HVO100-fuelled trucks both produced and used at the site is expected to fall by over 300t per year – equivalent to 100 passenger cars driving 15,000km annually.