Volvo Launches World’s First Vehicle Made With Fossil-Free Steel
The machine, a load carrier, made with fossil-free steel, for use in mining and quarrying, was unveiled at a green steel collaboration event today, October 13, in Gothenburg hosted by Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE, and Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group.
During the premiere, attendees got to see the world’s first machine made of fossil-free steel.
In addition, insights about yet another ground-breaking sustainable steel collaboration were shared. EU commissioner for internal market, Thierry Breton, and the Swedish minister of enterprise and innovation, Ibrahim Baylan, joined the event together with Martin Lindqvist, CEO SSAB and other speakers.
“Our ambition is to have fossil-free steel used across all our products, with a step-by-step approach. 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. Not only for our generation, but for generations to come. Our team in Braås is understandably proud to help make this innovation happen,” says Melker Jernberg.
“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,” says Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO Volvo Group.
Volvo Group has a commitment to be climate-neutral and achieve net zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
So, along with the electrification of its vehicles and machines, Volvo is hoping to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain.
“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,” says Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO at SSAB. “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.”
A move toward green steel is an important step for Volvo Group in its journey toward climate-neutrality. This is especially true considering that around 70% of a truck’s weight comes from steel and cast iron—with the figure for Volvo machines being even higher.
This first concept machine was produced at Volvo CE’s facility in Braås, with a smaller-scale series coming to production by 2022, and mass production set to follow.
Source: https://www.equipmentjournal.com/construction-news/volvo-launches-worlds-first-vehicle-made-with-fossil-free-steel/
