Volvo Group has unveiled its first vehicle made of fossil-free steel from SSAB. The machine, a load carrier for use in mining and quarrying, was unveiled at a green steel collaboration event today, October 13, 2021, in Gothenburg hosted by Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group.
At the green steel collaboration event, the company announced that more vehicles will follow in 2022 in a series of concept vehicles and components using fossil-free steel from SSAB.
With a commitment to be climate-neutral and achieve net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, Volvo Group is on the path towards developing sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. Along with the electrification of its vehicles and machines, the group is determined to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain and this latest innovation is one step forward on this path.
A move toward green steel is an important step for the group and the transport and infrastructure industries as a whole, particularly considering that around 70% of a truck's weight comes from steel and cast iron, with the figure for Volvo machines even higher. This first concept machine, produced at Volvo CE's facility in Braas, is just the start, with smaller-scale series production planned by 2022 and mass production set to follow, the company added.
Lundstedt said, 'This initiative with SSAB sets the benchmark for a fossil-free future. Just as the nations of the world come together at COP26 to address climate change, so too must organisations and industries work in collaboration to develop innovative new solutions for a greenhouse gas emission free future. Volvo Group is committed to pioneering partnerships such as this with SSAB to develop attractive, safe and efficient new vehicles and machines that pave the way for a more sustainable transport and infrastructure system adopted for the future.'
Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO, SSAB, said, 'Together, we will continue reducing climate impact all the way to the end customer while ensuring that our customers get high-quality steel. We look forward to continuing to work with Volvo Group in research and development to produce more fossil-free steel products.'