Volvo's New Zero-Emissions Truck: In Pictures

The global truck maker unveils fuel cell electric trucks powered by hydrogen. Take a look at this advanced truck in images.

Imagine a truck that only emits water vapour, produces its own electricity on board and has a range of up to 1 000 km. It’s possible with fuel cells powered by hydrogen, and Volvo Trucks has started to test vehicles using this new technology. 

To decarbonize commercial transport, Volvo Trucks already today offers battery-electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, such as biogas. In the second half of this decade, a third CO2-neutral option will be added to its product portfolio – fuel cell electric trucks powered by hydrogen.

The fuel cell electric trucks will have an operational range comparable to many diesel trucks – up to 1 000 km – and a refuelling time of fewer than 15 minutes. The total weight can be around 65 tons or even higher, and the two fuel cells can generate 300 kW of electricity onboard.

Generates its own electricity

A fuel cell generates its own electricity from the hydrogen onboard instead of being charged from an external source. The only biproduct emitted is water vapor.  

Fuel cells delivered by cellcentric

The fuel cells will be supplied by cellcentric – the joint venture between the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG. Cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest series production facilities for fuel-cells, specially developed for heavy vehicles.

More green hydrogen needed

Fuel cell technology is still in an early phase of development and there are many benefits with the new technology, but also some challenges ahead. One of them is a large-scale supply of green hydrogen*. Another is the fact that refuelling infrastructure for heavy vehicles is yet to be developed.