Volvo Trucks Tests Fuel Cell Electric Trucks on Public Roads

Fuel cell electric trucks fueled by hydrogen will be particularly useful over longer distances and when utilizing simple batteries is not an option, such as in rural areas with no charging infrastructure. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks, which emit only water vapour, will be an essential element of Volvo Trucks' zero-emission product offering.

Volvo Trucks debuted its fuel-cell electric trucks for the first time last year. Volvo Trucks, a division of the Volvo Group, has stated that it is testing its hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks on public roads for the first time. These zero-emission vehicles generate their own electricity onboard using hydrogen, making them suited for longer travel tasks.

To make things even more difficult, the testing was carried up above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden in an exceptionally cold temperature. For the first time, the vehicles have been tested on public highways.

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Fuel cell electric trucks fuelled by hydrogen will be particularly useful over longer distances and when utilizing simple batteries is not an option, such as in rural areas with no charging infrastructure. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks, which emit only water vapour, will be an essential element of Volvo Trucks' zero-emission product offering.

"We need to act now to stop global warming. Waiting is not an option, regardless of the transit assignments or where our customers operate. Our customers will be able to entirely remove CO2 exhaust emissions from their trucks in a few years," stated Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.

The two fuel cells in Volvo's hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks will be capable of providing 300 kW of electric power. The vehicles have now reached a significant milestone by being tested on public roads.

Green hydrogen is an infinite resource created by utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind, water, and sun.

Volvo now has the industry's broadest product line-up of battery electric trucks, with six models in series production, catering to a wide range of urban and intercity transportation needs.

The electric fuel cell trucks will be ready in the second half of this decade. A few years before the commercial debut, tests with hauliers will begin. To accelerate research, Volvo Group has partnered with Daimler to develop and manufacture fuel cell systems designed specifically for heavy-duty vehicles.

"Trucks operate seven days a week and in all weather conditions. The tough circumstances on northern Sweden's public roads, with ice, wind, and tons of snow, provide a great testing environment. I'm happy to report that the tests are proceeding well, validating the tests we ran prior, both digitally and on our limited test track near Gothenburg," stated Helena Alsio, VP of Powertrain Product Management, Volvo Trucks.

Volvo Trucks presently provides six battery-electric models and trucks that run on renewable fuels such as biogas to hauliers who want to offer zero-emission transport.