Volvo Trucks announced today that it has tested its new hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks on public roads, marking a significant milestone on the path to commercializing the zero exhaust emissions long-haul transport solution.

The company announced its plans to add fuel cell electric trucks to its product portfolio last year, expanding its lineup of CO2-neutral vehicles which currently includes battery electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, such as biogas.

With the ability to use hydrogen to produce their own electricity, fuel cell trucks are particularly suitable for long-haul applications in areas where battery charging infrastructure may be limited, such as rural settings.

Volvo said that the fuel cell electric trucks will be available in the second half of this decade, with tests with hauliers starting a few years prior to commercial launch.

Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, said:

“We need to act now in order to stop global warming. Regardless of the transport assignments or where in the world our customers are operating, waiting is not an option. In a few years, our customers will be able to completely eliminate CO2 exhaust emissions from their trucks.”

In order to accelerate development, Volvo said that it has joined forces with Daimler on the development of fuel cell systems targeted at heavy-duty vehicles. In 2021, the companies launched “Cellcentric,” a joint venture aimed at building one of Europe’s largest planned series production of fuel-cell systems.

For the test, Volvo operated the trucks in Northern Sweden, above the Arctic Circle.

Helena Alsiö, VP Powertrain Product Management at Volvo Trucks, said:

“Trucks are operating seven days a week and in all types of weather. The harsh conditions on public roads in northern Sweden, with ice, wind and lots of snow, make an ideal testing environment. I am pleased to say that the tests are going well, confirming tests we carried out beforehand, both digitally and on our confined test track close to Gothenburg.”