Volvo starts mass production of electric trucks made from decarbonized steel

Volvo has become the first truck manufacturer in the world to use fossil fuel-free steel in its trucks. The steel is produced by the Swedish steel company SSAB and Volvo's heavy electric trucks will be the first to use it.

SSAB steel is produced using a completely new technology based on hydrogen. The result is a much lower climate impact than traditionally produced steel. The first introduction of decarbonized steel in Volvo heavy electric trucks will begin in the third quarter of 2022.

“We will increase the use of fossil-free materials in all of our trucks to make them CO2-neutral, not only in operation, but also in terms of the materials from which they are made,” says Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President Product Management, Volvo Trucks.

The first hydrogen produced steel will be used in the truck's frame spars, which is the base of the truck on which all other major components are mounted. As the availability of fossil-free steel increases, it will also be used in other parts of the truck.

Today, about 30% of the materials from which new Volvo trucks are made are made from recycled materials. And up to 90% of a truck can be recycled at the end of its life.

“We are constantly striving to minimize our impact on the climate. We are also moving towards more cyclicality in both our operations and our trucks,” says Jessica Sandström.

Volvo Group has been cooperating with SSAB on the production of fossil-free steel since 2021. The first vehicle, a cargo carrier made from fossil-free steel, was demonstrated in October 2021. Fossil-free steel will be an important addition to the traditional and recycled steel used.

Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris Agreement and aims to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain no later than 2040.

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