LOUISVILLE, KY -- Volvo Trucks has added a natural-gas fueled truck to its VNL lineup. The truck was on display at the Volvo booth at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville.

When the natural gas option goes into full production, it will feature a 12-liter, 400 horsepower, 1,450 lb-ft. torque Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine that uses cost-effective, clean-burning compressed or liquefied natural gas. Volvo is currently operating natural gas-powered VNL demonstrator trucks, with production beginning in conjunction with commercial availability of the 12-liter gas engine, which Cummins says should be in early 2013.

"The addition of the Volvo natural gas-powered VNL daycab is just the most recent example of our longstanding commitment to offering products that positively impact the ROI of our customers," said Ron Huibers, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. "Developing fuel-efficient technology, whether through natural gas, diesel or hybrid, is a priority for Volvo Trucks. We were the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to offer EPA 2010-certified engines with no credits, and we've continued that legacy by focusing our efforts on offering fleets solutions that reduce their fuel costs."

The Volvo VNL daycab offers customers a larger -- 123-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) and is rated up to 80,000 GCWR -- and more robust spec than the natural-gas powered Volvo VNM daycab. Introduced in 2011, the VNM daycab features a 113-inch BBC and is rated up to 66,000 lbs. GCWR.