Comparison · 6×4 tractor unit · long haul at 19.3 t

Volvo FH, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit vs Volvo FM, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit, 10.8 L (2020–2022)

Volvo FH, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit

2013–2023 · 345 kW
36l/100 km
median; 32.7–40.6 across 5 declared configurations

Volvo FM, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit, 10.8 L (2020–2022)

2020–2022 · 345 kW
38.6l/100 km
median; across 1 declared configurations
Volvo FH, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit and Volvo FM, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit, 10.8 L (2020–2022) side by side
SpecificationVolvo FH, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unitVolvo FM, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit, 10.8 L (2020–2022)
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration6×4Declared6×4Declared
Registered new2013–2023Registeredcentral 90% of records2020–2022Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power345 kWDeclared345 kWDeclared
Engine displacement12.8 litresDeclared10.8 litresDeclared
GearboxautomatedDeclaredautomatedDeclared
Emission classEURO 6, EURO VI B, EURO VI CRegisteredNot recorded
Gross vehicle weight29,000–35,000 kgRegisteredmedian 31,000 kg, across 3 type-approval versions and 1 record without one28,500–31,000 kgDeclaredmedian 31,000 kg, across 3 declared configurations
Kerb weight9,366–14,435 kgRegisteredmedian 9,366 kg, over 6 registrationsNot recorded
Wheelbase4,370–4,770 mmRegisteredmedian 4,570 mm, over 6 registrationsNot recorded
Overall length6,740–7,160 mmRegisteredmedian 6,740 mm, over 6 registrationsNot recorded
Declared fuel, long haul36 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32.7–40.6 l/100 km across 5 declared configurations38.6 l/100 km Declaredmedian; across 1 declared configuration
CO₂ per tonne-km48.9 g Declaredmedian; 44.31–55.08 g52.31 g Declaredmedian

Fuel and CO₂: long haul at 19.3 t, 2022 declarations.

What the numbers actually say

There is 2.6 l/100 km between these two (7.2%). That is inside the 10% tolerance of declared figures, so on fuel alone neither is the better choice: at 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre the gap would be about 3,120 litres a year (£4,368). The declared figures for one of them alone span 7.9 l/100 km across its configurations, so the specification ordered matters more than the choice between these two.

Fuel over a year

120,000 km · assumed price
Volvo FH, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit43,200 litres
£60,480 at the assumed price
Volvo FM, 345 kW, 6x4 tractor unit, 10.8 L (2020–2022)46,320 litres
£64,848 at the assumed price
At 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre; the price is an assumption, not one we track.