Mack Trucks uses hydrotreated vegetable oil as fuel at Lehigh Valley plant
25/04/2024 (69 News) - L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. -- Mack Trucks is using "renewable diesel" to help reduce its carbon footprint in the Lehigh Valley.
The company now uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel to move completed Class 8 vehicles off of its production line at its Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) plant in Lower Macungie Township.
HVO is a renewable fuel with the same chemical and physical properties as diesel fuel, but with a lower carbon content. That means it can be used as a replacement fuel to improve sustainability, Mack said.
Mack engines do not need modifications to accommodate HVO, and it can be used interchangeably with petroleum diesel, as it does not adversely affect engine or aftertreatment performance or durability, the company said.
By using HVO, Mack estimates the Lehigh Valley plant was able to reduce carbon emissions by about 18%.
The company has plans to begin using HVO at its Roanoke Valley Operations in Virginia this year.
HVO is produced from lipid sources, like waste vegetable oils and tallow. It is processed using hydrotreatment to achieve high purity levels so that it can be used virtually the same way as diesel products, Mack said.
All Mack Class 8 models for North America and export are produced at the Lower Macungie plant.