Volvo Penta engine range will be available with an optimized SCR system.

Miron Thoms, 
Vice President & Head, 
Volvo Penta India.

Volvo Penta has developed an after treatment solution based on customer, operators and end-customer needs.

Volvo Penta offers a complete range from 105 kW to 565 kW. The 5 l and 8 l engines are made in India whereas the 11 l, 13 l and 16 l engines are made in Europe. “We see a strong development and raising demand on the engines made in India,” states Miron Thoms, Vice President & Head of Volvo Penta India. In an exclusive chat with EQUIPMENT TIMES Thoms speaks about latest engines technology the company is working with. Excerpts from the interview

Could you tell us the design philosophy and what differentiates Volvo Penta?

In one sentence: ‘Keep it Simple.’ Providing features and benefits in the complete value chain are the key differentiator. All in one, the OEM as well as the end-user / customer / operator will have a minimal change to the stricter emission regulations. Installation commonality across emission regulations and different power nodes, ease of installation as well as the maintenance free after treatment technology from Volvo Penta are main features of our design philosophy.

The end-user/ customer/ operator do not have to do any regeneration of a diesel particulate filter, fuel consumption will be further reduced and service intervals will be extended.

Could you tell us on the emission technology Volvo Penta is working with?

In order to fulfil BS CEV IV emissions the entire Volvo Penta engine range will be available with an optimized SCR system. Longer service intervals and lower fuel consumption will be key features and benefits. In addition we offer easy installation and maintenance free after treatment system.

Please elaborate on the after treatment system?

Volvo Penta has developed an after treatment solution based on customer, operators and end-customer needs. The result is the Volvo Penta SCR after treatment solution with a light EGR.

Fuel efficiency and simple operations as well as installations are key features.

The system is engineered so the OEM is able to design a modular drive line. This allows the OEM to have one engine room design for all emission regulations from BS CEV II, III, IV and for 2025 V.

How do you see the scope of the shift toward electronic engine, especially for the OEM sector?

Volvo Penta has been one of the pioneers of electronic engine control and all our engines are already today as a standard are electronically controlled. Many features and benefits for end users and operators are only possible with an electronic engine control. Also important are the increased reliability and stable operations over the lifetime of the engine.

We are very keen in supporting our OEMs with our application engineering team to optimize the driveline and engine control in order to utilize the full potential of our engines.

After sales service has become a true differentiator regardless of industry segments. How innovative and strong is Volvo Penta in this area?

The worldwide Volvo Penta service network is spread across 130 countries and is growing constantly. With its world class global parts distribution network, the company provides fast deliveries across the globe. Today Volvo Penta is present at 61 locations with 85+ touch points throughout the country.

Our regional warehouse and parts distribution centre is located in Bangalore and offers customers high parts availability through our dealer network. We are continuously improving our services including training and skill levels of technicians.

Many customers have chosen a service contract for their engine fleet that is readily available from Volvo Penta across the globe as well as
in India.

How geared up is Volvo Penta to meet emerging challenges of the new set of emission norms?

Volvo Penta is ready today for the upcoming BS CEV IV emission regulations. Our customers will have the first prototype machines in the field by mid-2019.  The Volvo Penta BS CEV IV engine range will not only support a cleaner India with lower emissions, but also reduced operational costs as the engines will be more efficient.

How do you assess the challenges in skilling up of your workforce?

Already in the beginning of 2019 we have started our training process for OEMs as well as for our dealer network. We have a dedicated training centre and trainer personal that is preparing proactively all stake holders.

What will be the impact of the cost factor?

The BS CEV IV engines will be more expensive due to added components required by law, but on the other hand Volvo Penta engines will also provide more benefits and features.

What do you think the challenges from the availability of cleaner fuel?

With the introduction of stricter on-road emissions in April 2020 the fuel availability is already secured. ULSD (ultra lowsulfur diesel) will therefore be readily available with the BS CEV IV introduction in October 2020.

The CE industry has witnessed tremendous change in terms of leveraging telematics and big data analytics. What is the impact of the same on engine manufacturers like Volvo Penta?

The Volvo Group and Volvo Penta have three future focus areas: electromobility, automation and connectivity. We are listening to our customers and offer the right solution at the right time.

What is the scope of retrofitting? How practical this is going to be?

Retrofitting EATS components in a classical sense is not possible due to the emission certification. Only during a re-powering, a complete engine and aftertreatment system can be installed. Our SCR catalyst is also the silencer and will simply replace the older silencer available in a re-powering project.

Tell us the range offered by Volvo Penta.

Volvo Penta offers a complete range from 105 kW to 565 kW. The 5 l and 8 l engines are made in India whereas the 11 l, 13 l and 16 l engines are made in Europe. We see a strong development and raising demand on the engines made in India.

How do you assess the future trends and growth prospects?

We are entering many new segments today and see a strong growth in India especially due to our unique BS CEV IV aftertreatment solution.

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