The Swedish CV maker Volvo has announced its plans to use fossil-free steel sourced from the Swedish steel company SSAB for its e-trucks.
According to a press release from the vehicle maker, the steel produced using a new hydrogen-based technology resulted in a lower climate impact than conventionally produced steel.
The first steel produced with hydrogen will be used in the truck’s frame rails, the backbone of the truck upon which all other main components are mounted, the company said.
As the availability of fossil-free steel increases, it will also be introduced in other parts of the truck, it added.
Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Volvo Trucks, said, “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.”
The company noted that the collaboration on fossil-free steel has been since 2021. The first machine, a load carrier made of fossil-free steel, was showcased in October 2021.
At present, the CV claims around 30% of the materials in its truck come from recycled materials, and up to 90% of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life.