Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has shown that the Swedish construction equipment manufacturer is relentless in developing new innovations that are in line with its commitment to driving change towards a green future. This time, the Volvo Group subsidiary has introduced the Volvo HX04 which is the prototype of the world’s first hydrogen-cell articulated haul truck (mining truck), which is now on trial.
This sustainability innovation follows a
multi-stakeholder research project that aims to break new ground in hydrogen
technology. This project will also be an important Volvo CE innovation in
providing hydrogen-powered construction equipment in the future. As part of its
mission to be a sustainable resource, Volvo CE also acknowledges that it has
stepped up on the commitment of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for
a clean greenhouse gas emission chain by 2040 and is driving the industry’s
transformation towards carbon neutrality.
The Volvo HX04 is the result of a research
project running between 2018 and 2022, with funding from FFI, the Swedish
Innovation Agency Vinnanova, the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish
Transport Administration, to support research, innovation and strategic
development of sustainable vehicles. In addition, Volvo CE is also establishing
partnerships with several other companies, one of which is Shell which will
provide infrastructure for a fast hydrogen cell fueling station on the Volvo CE
test track at the Braas, Sweden facility where the Volvo HX04 truck is made.
With the state-of-the-art filling station,
the Volvo HX04 truck will be able to refill a hydrogen cylinder in about 7.5
minutes and allow the prototype vehicle to operate for approximately 4 hours. The
fuel cell on the truck will work by combining hydrogen with oxygen and a chemical
reaction that produces electricity to propel the engine. In the process, the
hydrogen fuel cell on the Volvo HX04 can also generate heat that can be used to
warm the cabin space.
