Volvo will begin to use fossil-free steel in its trucks. The steel is produced by SSAB and Volvo's heavy-duty electric truck will be the first to include it.
The steel from SSAB is produced using a technology based on hydrogen. The result is a 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.
"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," says Jessica Sandström, senior vice president of product management at Volvo Trucks.
The first steel produced with hydrogen will be used in the truck's frame rails which is where 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.
Up to 90 percent of a Volvo truck can be recycled
Around 30 percent of the materials in a new Volvo truck come from recycled materials and up to 90 percent of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life.
"We are continuously striving to further minimize our climate footprint. We are also moving towards greater circularity in both our operations and our trucks," says Jessica Sandström.
Volvo Group has been collaborating with SSAB on fossil-free steel since 2021. The first machine, a load carrier made of fossil-free steel, was showcased in October 2021. Fossil-free steel will be a complement to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo's trucks.
Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement and to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain by 2040.
