Currently reading: Volvo Group launches first vehicle made from fossil-free steel

Green steel initiative unveiled in collaboration with SSAB, as agreement with Ovako reached to use excess hydrogen

Volvo Group has revealed what it claims to be the first vehicle ever made using fossil-free steel – one of two initiatives designed to reduce emissions from its supply chain.

The load carrier - typically used for mining and quarrying - was constructed using ‘green steel’ supplied by Swedish manufacturer SSAB in August. Volvo says that 70% of a truck’s weight comes from steel and cast iron, and decarbonising its production is key to achieving its goal of climate-neutrality by 2040.

Weighing 8.2 tonnies, the load carrier is driven by a battery-electric powertrain and can operate autonomously. Small-scale series production is planned for next year, with mass production to follow at a later date.

“This initiative with SSAB sets the benchmark for a fossil-free future,” said Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of the Volvo Group. “Just as the nations of the world come together at COP26 to address climate change, so too must organisations and industries work in collaboration to develop innovative new solutions for a greenhouse-gas-emission-free future.

“Volvo Group is committed to pioneering partnerships such as this with SSAB to develop attractive, safe and efficient new vehicles and machines that pave the way for a more sustainable transport and infrastructure system adopted for the future.” 

2 Volvo fossil free truck

The president and CEO of SSAB, Martin Lindqvist, added: “Having the world's first actual vehicle made using SSAB's fossil-free steel is a true milestone. Our collaboration with Volvo Group shows that green transition is possible and brings results. Together, we will continue reducing climate impact all the way to the end customer while ensuring that our customers get high-quality steel.”

Volvo also provided further details of its collaboration with steel firm Ovako, which plans to use a new plant in Hofors, Sweden, to heat steel with hydrogen prior to rolling for the first time. The model is expected to "greatly reduce CO2 emissions" in steel production, and surplus hydrogen created in the process will be used to power local hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

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According to Volvo and Ovako, this demonstrates the cost efficiencies that are possible when industries work together.

“The transport sector is undergoing a paradigm shift, and green hydrogen will be one of the most important energy vectors in the transport industry for long-haul and heavy freight,” said Volvo’s chief technology officer, Lars Stenqvist, earlier this year.

“Decentralised hydrogen production in the steel industry fits very well with the transport industry’s need for fossil-free fuel. This technological solution is scalable, because it can be used by the steel industry in large parts of the world. Working in partnership with other industries to be involved in the entire value chain around our transport solutions is essential.”

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Hughbl 13 October 2021

I wonder how much 8.2 tonnies is in tons? 

567 13 October 2021

Seems like nonsense. Where is the hydrogen coming from to heat the steel? Natural Gas? Secondly, is the steel made from scratch or is it using used steel? Thirdly, the batteries are made using fossil fuels and how are these batteries recycled at their end of life? This article is very vague and is poorly written. More details need provided to back up Volvo's claim of 'fossil-free steel'.