Revealed: ‘World’s first’ fossil-free steel vehicle

Volvo Group has revealed what it says is the world’s first vehicle made from fossil-free steel; a load carrier for mining and quarrying applications.

Manufactured by SSAB at Volvo Construction Equipment’s facility in Braås, Sweden, the concept machine was unveiled at a collaborative event that showcased the companies’ green steel developments.

Streamed live, the event featured speechs from the EU commissioner for internal market, Thierry Breton, and the Swedish minister of enterprise and innovation, Ibrahim Baylan. 

Volvo CE President Melker Jernberg, Martin Lindqvist, CEO of SSAB and Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group, also spoke directly about the concept load carrier and the importance of developing new partnerships to help reduce the impact of manufacturing on the environment.

Volvo’s concept load carrier is made from fossil-free steel from SSAB.

“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,” said Martin Lindqvist.

“Together, we will continue reducing climate impact all the way to the end customer while ensuring that our customers get high-quality steel.”

Volvo and SSAB also announced plans for the development of more green steel machines. The companies are planning to launch a series of concept vehicles next year - all of which will be made from SSAB’s fossil-free steel.

Additionally, there are also plans for the green steel concept load carrier to enter small-scale series production before 2022, with “mass production set to follow”. 

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 organisations and industries work in collaboration to develop innovative new solutions for a greenhouse gas emission free future.”

Volvo, which has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, is aiming to use fossil-free steel used in its all its products.

Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE, added that, “This machine is proof that we really can make fast progress, when we work together in strong partnerships, when we are determined to act and we enable our skilled people to contribute to building the world we want to live in.”