H2-Volvo on public roads: test drives reach the next level

Volvo continues to push its hydrogen trucks. Fuel cell electric trucks have now completed their first tests on public roads. Test engineers don’t make it easy on themselves: the first demonstration climbs above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden in freezing temperatures.

“The trucks are used seven days a week and in all weather conditions. The harsh conditions on the public roads in the north of Sweden with ice, wind and snow are the perfect test environment,” says Helena Alsiö, Vice President of Product Management of Powertrain in Volvo Trucks. “I’m happy to say that the tests went well. . They also confirm the results of the tests we did earlier, digitally and at our small test track near Gothenburg.”

Benefits in remote areas

Unlike battery-electric trucks, H2 trucks are also suitable for remote areas and long distances without a well-developed network of charging stations. Although there is still a lot to do with the hydrogen filling station network, the range is much longer without having to lug around batteries that weigh a ton. H2-Volvos continues with two fuel cells, which, according to their own information, can produce an electric output of 300 kW. Instead of exhaust gases and CO2, a fuel cell truck emits only water vapor.

According to Volvo, fuel cell electric trucks should be available in the second half of this decade. Before that, they want to conduct practical experiments in the daily distribution of cargo. In the interim until the H2 technology is mature, Volvo is withdrawing Bio-LNG capable trucks from its production line to reduce CO2 emissions. “We must act now to stop global warming. Regardless of the transport job or where in the world our customers work, waiting is not an option. In a few years, our customers will be able to completely remove CO2 emissions from their trucks,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.