Gothenburg, Sweden: Volvo Trucks is testing its fuel cell electric trucks, shown last year, on public roads for the first time. These zero exhaust emission trucks use hydrogen to produce their own electricity onboard and can travel long distances so making them suitable for long haul transport.
To make it extra challenging, the tests have been conducted above the Arctic Circle in the north of Sweden – in an extremely cold climate. “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,” says Helena Alsiö, vice president powertrain product management, Volvo Trucks. “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.”
The fuel cell electric trucks will be available in the second half of this decade. Tests with hauliers will start a few some years before the commercial launch. To speed development, Volvo Group has joined forces with Daimler to develop and produce fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles.
Volvo’s hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks will use two fuel cells with a capacity to generate 300kW of electric power. Green hydrogen is an endless resource that is produced by using renewable energy sources, such as wind, water and sun.
