Volvo Trucks has begun production of heavy-duty 44-tonne (GCW) electric trucks partly made from “fossil-free” steel produced by the Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB.

SSAB claims to use a new technology that relies on fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The company estimates that the new process eliminates some 90% of CO₂ emissions from steel production.

Volvo will begin using the “fossil-free” steel in the electric truck’s frame rails and will introduce it to other parts of the truck as availability increases.

Volvo says recycled products currently constitute around 30% of the materials used to make new Volvo trucks, and that up to 90% of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life. 

“Our journey to net zero emissions includes both making our vehicles fossil-free in operation and over time fully replacing the material in our trucks with fossil-free and recycled alternatives,” says Jessica Sandström, Senior VP of Product Management at Volvo Trucks.

Source: Volvo Trucks