Volvo Trucks has showcased its new zero-emissions truck that only emits water vapour, produces its own electricity onboard and has a range of up to 1,000 km (621 miles). 

All of this is possible with Fuel cells powered by hydrogen, and Volvo has started to test vehicles using this new technology.

The firms says that its hydrogen-powered fuel cell Electric Trucks will be suitable for long distances and heavy, energy-demanding assignments.

To decarbonise transport, Volvo already offers battery electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, such as biogas. 

Later this decade, a third CO2-neutral option will be added to its product portfolio – fuel cell electric trucks powered by hydrogen.

‘We have been developing this technology’

The President of Volvo Trucks, Roger Alm, said: “We have been developing this technology for some years now, and it feels great to see the first trucks successfully running on the test track. 

“The combination of battery electric and fuel cell electric will enable our customers to completely eliminate CO2 exhaust emissions from their trucks, no matter the transport assignments.”

The fuel cell electric trucks will have an operational range comparable to many diesel trucks and a refuelling time of less than 15 minutes. 

The total weight can be around 65 tonnes or even higher, and the two fuel cells have the capacity to generate 300 kW of electricity onboard.

Customer pilots with the new fuel truck will start in a few years 

Customer pilots will start in a few years from now and commercialisation is planned for the latter part of this decade.

Mr Alm said: “Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks will be especially suitable for long distances and heavy, energy-demanding assignments.

“They could also be an option in countries where battery charging possibilities are limited.”

He added: “We expect the supply of green hydrogen to increase significantly during the next couple of years, since many industries will depend on it to reduce CO2. 

“However, we cannot wait to decarbonise transport, we are already running late. So, my clear message to all transport companies is to start the journey today with battery electric, biogas and the other options available.”

The new Volvo Trucks hydrogen truck

The features of the new Volvo Trucks hydrogen truck include:

• Generates its own electricity: A fuel cell generates its own electricity from the hydrogen onboard instead of being charged from an external source. The only by-product emitted is water vapour. 
• Fuel cells delivered by cellcentric: The fuel cells will be supplied by cellcentric – a joint venture between the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG. Cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest production facilities for fuel-cells, specially developed for heavy vehicles.
• More green hydrogen needed: Fuel cell technology is still in an early phase of development and there are many benefits for it, but also some challenges ahead. One of them is large-scale supply of green hydrogen. Another is that the refuelling infrastructure for heavy vehicles is yet to be developed.

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