Volvo Sells 1,000 Battery-Electric Trucks, Makes Hydrogen Progress

Volvo Group of Sweden mentioned on Monday it has offered 1,000 battery electrical vans to Holcim of Switzerland, whereas additionally asserting progress on its approach to commercializing hydrogen-powered gasoline cell variations.

Volvo’s fuel-cell vans have been examined on public roads. The subsequent step is operational testing with hauliers. Gross sales ought to begin earlier than the tip of the last decade. Massive points to beat embrace the provision of inexperienced hydrogen and the shortage of a refueling infrastructure.

The cope with Holcim, which makes and sells constructing supplies akin to cement and ready-mixed concrete, requires supply of the vans between now and 2030. Holcim operates in 60 international locations and has about 60,000 staff.

Volvo declined to disclose monetary particulars.

“The deal is the biggest industrial order up to now for Volvo electrical vans, and the primary 130 autos might be delivered in 2023 and 2024,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement.

Based on the Monetary Instances Lex column, the Swedish truck and heavy gear maker marginally leads friends with 2,700 medium and heavy absolutely electrical truck orders final 12 months, having delivered extra electrical vans than Daimler Truck or Volkswagen spinoff Traton. Volvo additionally sells vans below the Mack, Renault and UD manufacturers.

Volvo just lately offered a progress report on its hydrogen fuel-cell plans.

“Now, the autos have handed an vital milestone – specifically, being test-driven on public roads. Final 12 months, Volvo Vehicles showcased its fuel-cell electrical vans for the primary time. These zero exhaust emission vans use hydrogen to supply their very own electrical energy onboard, can journey lengthy distances, making them appropriate for longer transport assignments,” Volvo mentioned.

Volvo mentioned fuel-cell electrical vans might be commercially accessible within the 2^nd half of this decade and assessments with clients will begin a “few” years earlier than the industrial launch.

In principle, hydrogen-powered vans have benefits over battery-electric ones. The batteries required to energy vans must be large and may take many hours to cost. Hydrogen gasoline cells might be charged in minutes and are a lot smaller and lighter than electrical batteries. Each require carbon-neutral regimes to be thought-about actually inexperienced.

Environmental NGOs argue that the hydrogen possibility solely is sensible if the manufacturing course of might be cleaned up, and there’s not a lot proof of that at present.

Volvo Vehicles senior vice chairman World Product Administration Jessica Sandström was requested in regards to the prospects for producing a gentle provide of inexperienced hydrogen.

“We count on the provision of inexperienced hydrogen to extend through the subsequent couple of years, since many industries will depend upon it to scale back CO2. It’s more likely to begin in areas with entry to reasonably priced and renewable electrical energy. One benefit of hydrogen is the likelihood to make use of it as storage of intermittent renewable vitality sources,” Sandström mentioned in a reply to e mail questions.

Sandström mentioned in 2025 some clients will begin to take a look at the vans in northern Europe. The hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is less than the job, but.

“The hydrogen refueling infrastructure for heavy autos continues to be largely missing and can take years to construct. We foresee that hydrogen refueling will occur largely at public stations, with temporary refueling stops consistent with right now’s diesel fueling operations,” Sandström mentioned.