In September this year, Volvo Trucks became the first global truck manufacturer to begin series production of 44-tonne (*Gross Combination Weight) heavy-duty electric trucks. Some of those electric trucks will also be the world's first trucks built with fossil-free steel.
"Our path to net zero emissions includes, on the one hand, making our vehicles fossil-free during use. On the other hand, in time we want to completely replace the material in our trucks with fossil-free and recycled alternatives." So says Jessica Sandström. She is Senior Vice President of Product Management at Volvo Trucks.
Fossil-free steel
The Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB produces the fossil-free steel. The company manufactures this type of steel using a completely new technology that utilises fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result? A significantly lower environmental impact. And a major step towards a net-zero-emissions value chain.
Amazon
A number of names have already been announced of customers who will have fossil-free steel in some of their electric trucks. These include Amazon, DFDS and, through the transport company Simon Loos, Unilever. "At Amazon, we are on track to decarbonise all our operations by 2040. We need partners like Volvo to make this transition possible." Speaking is Andreas Marschner, Vice President Transportation Services Europe at Amazon.
DFDS
"DFDS is committed to our green transition and providing greener transport and logistics solutions. Every step in the transformation of logistics brings us closer to a carbon-free society. We are therefore pleased that some of our new electric trucks include fossil-free steel. Delivery will take place soon," says Niklas Andersson, EVP of DFDS Logistics Division.
Steel produced with hydrogen
The first hydrogen-produced steel is used in the electric truck's frame rails. This is the backbone of the truck on which the assembly of all other main components is done. As the availability of fossil-free steel increases, it will also find applications in other parts of the truck.
90% recycled
Today, about 30% of the materials in a new Volvo truck come from recycled materials. Moreover, up to 90% of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life. Fossil-free steel will be an important addition to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo's trucks.
Climate Agreement
Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change and aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain by 2040 at the latest.
Photo: Volvo Trucks
