PremAir®
Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons generated by traffic and other sources are subjected to sunlight. Together with other photochemical oxidants in the air, the ozone forms what is commonly known as smog. The problem is greater in summertime, particularly in the world's major cities.
Smog can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory problems.
Volvo Cars was the first carmaker in the world to commercialise the technology known as PremAir®, which was developed by the US-based Engelhard Corporation
in collaboration with Volvo Cars. In a nutshell, this catalytic coating of the radiator can convert harmful ground-level ozone passing through the radiator into pure oxygen. PremAir® is available as an option on several Volvo engines.
PremAir® is a registered trademark of Engelhard Corporation. Fuel efficient engines
Approximately 90 per cent of the environmental impact of a car is generated during its useful life. One of the most important environmental goals at Volvo Cars is to reduce fuel consumption and thus emissions of carbon dioxide, which contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Volvo's petrol engines utilise the fuel efficiently with the help of variable valve timing, low internal friction and sophisticated electronic control programs. The fact that the car is also designed for low air and rolling resistance contributes still further to the low fuel consumption. Volvo's highly modern direct-injection diesel engines provide even better fuel economy and produce about 20 per cent less carbon dioxide compared with corresponding petrol engines. The latest common rail technology ensures that the fuel is combusted as efficiently as possible, at the same time as pollutant emissions are reduced.
Volvo's Bi-Fuel cars are powered by methane gas, with petrol as backup fuel
– an important step towards a better environment. A car running on methane from biogas contributes nothing to global warming caused by greenhouse gases because biogas sources take the carbon dioxide back out of the atmosphere. With Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are about 25 per cent lower than from a comparable petrol-engined car. Whether you choose a diesel, FlexiFuel, Bi-Fuel or petrol engine, the fuel economy will be low and competitive.
Efficient Exhaust Conversion
Advanced engine technology boosts combustion efficiency and reduces environmentally hazardous exhaust emissions in all operating conditions. The catalytic converter is positioned right beside the engine so it gives full exhaust filtration more quickly after a cold start. Together with advanced management of the exhaust conversion process, this eliminates over 95-99 per cent of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from the car's exhaust gases. Volvo's diesel engines utilise their fuel efficiently and are equipped with the latest exhaust conversion technology, ensuring effective reduction of particulate emissions. For example, our diesel engine particulate filters remove around 95% of such emissions. Volvo also offers tail pipe technology complying with ULEV II (Ultra Level Emission Vehicles), as well as European Euro 4, on a global basis, regardless of local legislation.
PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) technology is available in California and select North East states in the US. Emissions of hydrocarbons from Volvo's PZEV engine are less than one thousandth of the levels typical of cars built before the advent of catalytic converter technology. In dense city traffic, the engine exhaust may even be cleaner than the ambient air.