Volvo

The Swedish manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment, and more is en route to shrinking its carbon footprint by leaning into “green steel.” By using hydrogen instead of conventional coal for heating, steel can be made for vehicles and equipment while producing significantly less CO2. Steel manufacturing contributes to about 8% of global energy system emissions, so green steel production is a top priority for the group as it aims to be net-zero by 2050. About 70% of a truck’s weight comes from steel and cast iron—and for Volvo construction machines, the share is even higher. In 2021, Volvo Group partnered with Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB to launch a first-of-its-kind green-steel hauler. The following year it began using fossil-free steel parts in three other Volvo construction vehicles, and became the first manufacturer to deliver a fossil-free construction machine to a customer. More are on the way.