Automotive manufacturer Volvo is ramping up the use of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks.
Volvo was the world’s first truck manufacturer to introduce this type of steel in its electric trucks in 2022, with the company now expanding the use of low-CO2-emission steel to include all drivelines.
The new steel is produced by the Swedish steel company SSAB and called SSAB Zero. It is made from recycled material and produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas. As a result, CO2 is reduced by around 80% compared to the production of conventional steel using fossil energy.
Next year, the frame rails in around 12,000 Volvo FH and FM trucks will be made of low-CO2-emission steel, which Volvo claims will result in savings of 6.6kt of CO2 equivalents. As the availability of low-CO2-emission steel increases, it will be introduced in more truck models as well as in other parts of the truck.
Volvo is also planning to replace other materials in its trucks with lower emissions alternatives.
''We are proud to lead the way in the industry when it comes to sustainable material in our trucks.”
Jan Hjelmgren, senior vice president product management and quality, Volvo Trucks
“This is an additional step towards our zero emissions vision. Steel is one of the main materials in our trucks. We are also looking to exchange other materials, such as aluminium and plastic, to low emission alternatives. We are proud to lead the way in the industry when it comes to sustainable material in our trucks,” said Jan Hjelmgren, senior vice president product management and quality, Volvo Trucks.
Volvo Group is collaborating with several suppliers of low-CO2-emission steel.
“We are continuously striving to further minimize our climate footprint. We are also moving towards greater circularity in both our operations and our trucks. Many of our factories, transports and dealers are today running on renewable energy,” added Hjelmgren.