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Volvo Trucks has become the world’s first truck manufacturer to introduce fossil-free steel in its vehicles. The steel is produced by the Sweden’s SSAB and the heavy-duty electric Volvo trucks will be the first to include it.
The steel from SSAB is produced using a new technology, based on hydrogen.
The result is a much lower climate impact than conventionally produced steel. Small scale introduction of the steel in Volvo’s heavy electric trucks will begin in the third quarter of 2022.
The first steel produced with hydrogen will be used in the truck’s frame rails, the backbone of the truck upon which all other main components are mounted.
As the availability of fossil-free steel increases, it will also be introduced in other parts of the truck.
Volvo Group has been collaborating with SSAB since 2021. The first machine, a load carrier made of fossil-free steel, was showcased in October 2021.
Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President Product Management, Volvo Trucks, says: “We will increase the use of fossil-free materials in all our trucks to make them net-zero not only in operation – but also when it comes to the materials they are built of. We are continuously striving to further minimise our climate footprint. We are also moving towards greater circularity in both our operations and our trucks.”
Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement and to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the value-chain by 2040, at the latest.