Volvo CE Opens Fuel Cell Test Lab To Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

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“Fuel cell technology is a key enabler of sustainable solutions for heavier construction machines,” says Volvo CE Head of Sustainable Power Toni Hagelberg, seen here in the new Fuel Cell Test Lab. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

Volvo Construction Equipment believes hydrogen fuel cell technology will need to play a big role in the journey to a carbon-neutral society, as well as Volvo Group’s own long-term goal of achieving 100% fossil-free power by 2040. To these ends, Volvo CE announced the creation of its new Fuel Cell Test Lab, located in the Volvo CE Technical Center in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

“Fuel cell technology is a key enabler of sustainable solutions for heavier construction machines, and this investment provides us with another vital tool in our work to reach science-based targets,” says Volvo CE Head of Sustainable Power Toni Hagelberg. “The lab will also serve Volvo Group globally, as it’s the first to offer this kind of advanced testing. It’s a really exciting step to accelerate the development of fuel cell solutions towards our united vision for a carbon-neutral society.”

Fossil-Free Vision

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to move away from fossil fuels. Volvo CE’s vison for the future includes a mix of battery-electric solutions, biofuel-powered internal combustion engines, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. Volvo CE points out that while battery-electric power is a solid option for compact machines, battery size becomes an issue for heavy construction equipment, and hydrogen fuel cell technology is more practical at scale.

“Hydrogen can be produced in many different ways, and it’s important to have a life-cycle approach across the entire value chain,” Hagelberg says.

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Hydrogen fuel cell development forms a key part of Volvo Group’s overall electromobility plan to be carbon-neutral by 2040. (Photo courtesy of Volvo CE.)

The Lab

The new lab is the first facility in the Volvo Group to test complete fuel cell units, and going forward Volvo CE expects the lab will be a “strong contributor” to the manufacturer’s fuel cell technology. “Not only will the research and development carried out at the test lab be dedicated to producing fossil-free construction solutions, we will also look at how the hydrogen itself has been produced, and strive for so-called ‘green’ hydrogen produced from renewable energy,” says Hagelberg.

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Source: Volvo CE