Volvo Trucks is testing hydrogen-powered trucks on public roads

Hydrogen fuel cell trucks, which emit only water vapor, will be an important part of Volvo Trucks’ zero-emission product portfolio, the automaker said. The cars have now reached an important milestone: they are being tested on public roads.

Last year Volvo Trucks presented its electric and fuel cell trucks for the first time. These zero-emission trucks use hydrogen to generate their own electricity on board and are suitable for long-distance deployment.

Now the trucks have been tested on public roads for the first time. But not just any public road; to make it more challenging, tests were conducted above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden – in very cold weather.

“The trucks drive seven days a week and in all weather conditions. The bad conditions on the public roads in the north of Sweden, with ice, wind and lots of snow, are the perfect test environment,” says Helena Alsiö, Vice President Management of Powertrain Products in Volvo Trucks. “I am happy to say that the tests are going well and that the results confirm what we have tried before, both digitally and on our own test track near Gothenburg.”

Hydrogen powered electric trucks (FCEV) will be particularly suitable for long distances and when the use of battery electric trucks (BEV) is not an option, for example in rural areas without charging infrastructure.

It will be commercially available in the second half of this decade
With six models in series production, Volvo currently offers the largest range of battery electric trucks (BEV) in the industry, suitable for a wide range of intra- and inter-city transport.

Fuel cell electric trucks (FCEV) will be available in the second half of this decade. Trials with service providers will begin several years before commercial launch.

“To accelerate development, the Volvo Group has teamed up with Daimler to develop and manufacture fuel cell systems designed for long-distance transport and heavier vehicles.”

Reducing CO2 is already possible
Volvo Trucks currently offers six different battery-electric (BEV) models and trucks that run on renewable energy, such as biogas or HVO, for service providers looking to offer zero-emission transport today.

“We must act now to stop global warming. Waiting is not an option, regardless of deployment or where our customers operate in the world. Within a few years, our customers will be able to completely eliminate CO2 emissions from their trucks,” he says. Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.

Source: Volvo Trucks