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Volvo CE Meets Indonesias B50 Mandate

All Volvo engines from Volvo Construction Equipment work with diesel containing 50 percent bio-fuel, a year ahead of the proposed mandate requiringmore bio-fuel use.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is the first equipment manufacturer to ensure the engines and fuel system within its machines work with diesel containing 50 percent bio-fuel. In mid-2019, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo announced he wanted to increase the required use of bio-fuel from the current 20 percent to 30 percent starting January 2020, and to 50 percent by the end of 2020, according to the Jakarta Post.

In late 2018, the Indonesia government introduced the B20 mandate, which requires the use of diesel containing 20 perent of bio-fuel. In January 2020, the government will introduced the B30 mandate and is expected to introduce the B50 mandate by the end of 2020.

“Volvo has a heritage of caring for the environment so we are proud to meet the proposed B50 mandate one full year ahead,” said Gerrit Lambert, director for Volvo CE Indonesia. “The mandate aligns with Volvo’s core values and will help reduce emissions from industrial equipment.”

Volvo CE is at the forefront of developing technologies to enhance environmental care. Since 1999, Volvo CE engines have been compatible with renewable fuel.

“The use of higher percentages of bio-fuel will not impact the proven performance of Volvo CE machines. Maintenance and service intervals can be maintained,” said Nino Putra, aftermarket and customer solution director for Volvo CE Indonesia.

Machines that use 50 percent of bio-fuel will require a thorough inspection program upon introduction that will warrant suitability of the specific bio-fuel grade. Shorter maintenance intervals and more frequent checks may be required if the bio-fuel does not meet certain quality grade standards.

“Biodiesel is more sensitive to bacteria and water contamination than distillate diesel fuel, so more regular maintenance checks may be vital to ensuring maximum uptime,” Putra said.