Truck, bus, and construction equipment company Volvo Group announced today the launch of the first-ever vehicle to be built using fossil-free steel, along with plans for more green steel concept vehicles planned over the next year. The new vehicle is a load carrier for use in mining and quarrying.

Steelmaking is one of the biggest emitters of CO2 globally, with total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the sector accounting for 7% – 9% of direct emissions from the global use of fossil fuels.

Today’s announcement marks the latest step in the collaboration launched earlier this year between Volvo and steel manufacturer SSAB, aimed at producing vehicles built with fossil-free steel. In August this year, SSAB announced the first delivery of fossil-free steel to Volvo.

Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO at SSAB, said:

“Having the world´s first actual vehicle made using SSAB´s fossil-free steel is a true milestone. Our collaboration with Volvo Group shows that green transition is possible and brings results. 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.”

The fossil-free steel used in the new vehicle was produced using technology developed by the HYBRIT initiative, established in 2016 through a collaboration with SSAB, electric utility Vattenfall and mining company LKAB, aiming to revolutionize steelmaking by replacing heavily polluting coking coal, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen.

The new launch also aligns with the sustainability targets of both SSAB and Volvo. Volvo Group recently announced a goal to achieve net zero value chain emissions by 2040. In June, SSAB pledged to be the first steel company worldwide to use HYBRIT technology to bring fossil-free steel to the global market by 2026.

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group, 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 organizations 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.”