Volvo is boosting the use of low-CO2-emission steel* in its trucks. This steel is made from recycled materials and fossil-free energy, and it will be used in tens of thousands of Volvo trucks beginning next year. Volvo Trucks increases the usage of low-CO2-emission steel. Thousands of Volvo trucks will have frame rails made of low-CO2-emission steel.
Volvo is currently increasing the usage of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks. Volvo became the world's first truck manufacturer to use this type of steel in its electric vehicles in 2022. Now, the company is increasing its usage of low-CO2-emission steel to include all drivelines.
The Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB produces the new steel, known as SSAB Zero. It is manufactured from recycled materials and powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas. As a result, CO2 emissions are decreased by approximately 80% compared to typical steel production utilising fossil energy. Next year, the frame rails of approximately 12,000 Volvo FH and FM trucks will be built of low-CO2-emission steel. This will save 6,600 tonnes of CO2 equivalents**. As low-CO2-emission steel becomes more widely available, it will be used in more truck models and parts.
Volvo is also intending to replace additional materials in its trucks with low-emission equivalents.
"This is another step towards our zero-emissions goal. Steel is one of the primary materials used in our trucks. We are also working to replace other materials, such as aluminium and plastic, with low-emission alternatives. "We are proud to lead the industry in using sustainable materials in our trucks," says Jan Hjelmgren, Senior Vice President Product Management and Quality at Volvo vehicles.
Half of the truck is made of steel.
The potential for cutting CO2 emissions is substantial because over half of the truck consists of steel (47% of a Volvo FH diesel truck), and it represents around 44% of the CO2 emissions from the production (cradle to gate) out of the total 21 tonnes CO2 Equivalents for the Volvo. FH diesel.
Volvo Group is partnering with many suppliers on low-CO2-emission steel. Low-CO2-emission steel will be a valuable addition to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo trucks.
Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris Agreement and to attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain by 2040 at the latest.
"We are constantly attempting to reduce our environmental footprint. We are also aiming for better circularity in both our operations and transportation. Many of our factories, transportation, and dealers now run on renewable energy," explains Jan Hjelmgren.
* Low-CO2-emission steel is a steel with a large reduction in CO2 (80% or more) from cradle to gate.
** CO2 equivalents include all greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane.
Facts:
The main materials in a Volvo FH diesel truck are steel (47%), cast iron (26%), polymers (11%) and aluminium (8%). They stand for around 44%, 26%, 14% and 8% of the CO2 emissions from the production (cradle to gate) out of the total 21 tons CO2 Equivalents for the Volvo FH diesel.
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