Volvo Group is making aggressive moves in the heavy truck industry, doubling down on electric and hydrogen-powered models while also advancing its work on autonomous driving. In a recent interview on Engadget’s podcast, Volvo Group CTO Lars Stenqvist shared insights into the company’s latest developments. He spoke about the challenges and opportunities of zero-emission trucks, the separation between Volvo Group and Volvo Cars, and the company’s overall vision for the future of transportation.
Electric and Hydrogen-Powered Trucks
Volvo Group has been working on electric heavy-duty trucks for years, and the company believes battery-electric technology is ready for real-world applications. Fleets in Europe and North America are already deploying Volvo’s electric trucks for short-haul and regional transportation. However, the company is also investing in experimental hydrogen-powered trucks, which could offer longer range and faster refueling times compared to battery-electric models.
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks are still in the early phases, with pilot programs expected later in the decade. These trucks could be particularly useful for long-haul routes where charging infrastructure remains a problem. Stenqvist made it clear that Volvo Group is approaching the transition with an open mind, developing multiple solutions instead of relying solely on battery-electric models.
Volvo Group vs. Volvo Cars
One point of clarification in the interview was the distinction between Volvo Group and Volvo Cars. Many associate the Volvo name with consumer vehicles, but Volvo Group is a separate company focused on manufacturing large commercial trucks, buses, and construction equipment. Despite the branding confusion, Volvo Group remains one of the biggest names in the trucking industry and is taking a leading role in decarbonizing heavy transport.
Autonomous Truck Development
Autonomous trucking has been a hot topic across the industry, and Volvo Group has been steadily developing its own solutions. While some companies are racing to remove human drivers entirely, Volvo Group is taking a more gradual approach, focusing on specific use cases where automation makes sense.
According to Stenqvist, fully autonomous trucks could first roll out in controlled environments like ports, terminals, and dedicated highway corridors before expanding to more complex driving scenarios. However, because this interview was recorded prior to Volvo Group’s partnership with self-driving truck startup Waabi, that collaboration wasn’t part of the discussion. Waabi’s AI-driven approach could end up playing a significant role in Volvo’s autonomous strategy moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Volvo Group is clearly committed to both zero-emission and automated trucking, but the transition won’t happen overnight. The company is hedging its bets with both battery-electric and hydrogen solutions while carefully scaling up its autonomous technology. While other companies may take more aggressive approaches, Volvo’s strategy seems to be focused on stability and real-world viability.
