In an effort to further the “greenness” of its trucks, Volvo went a step further and secured the first truck manufacturer to use fossil-free steel in its vehicles.
The gist of it is that Volvo was able to source steel that was produced with no fossil fuels involved. The Swedish brand was able to get in touch with the Swedish manufacturer, SSAB, a company that employs a new production method for steel that uses electricity and hydrogen in its processes.
SSAB announced that it produced the first fossil-free steel in August of last year, 2021, for the Volvo group. Volvo will be using the company’s steel in its 44-ton models for now, which will be found in the electric models’ frame rails.
The Volvo group will use the new “green” steel in its trucks, and the result is a vehicle that has a lower climate impact. This is in line with Volvo Trucks’ net-zero emissions value chain, along with its new range of FH electric and hydrogen models. On top of this, Volvo also states that up to 90 percent of the truck can be recycled which makes these trucks even greener than they already are.
Volvo’s first production models with fossil-free steel will include units to be delivered to big companies like Amazon, DFDS, Simon Loos, and Unilever.
According to Volvo, its goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its entire value chain by 2040, a goal that is also in line with the EU’s goals of making mobility almost totally green by allowing the sale of zero-emission vehicles.
Volvo remains one of the most committed manufacturers in the pursuit of a zero-emission product and value chain. The company’s gunning for a ton of innovations in the future in order to make this goal a reality with zero-emission production, sustainable powertrains, and recyclable products.
