The Volvo HX04 is the world’s first prototype fuel cell articulated hauler and is currently being tested in various customer applications to develop hydrogen technology. The test phase results provide important information about the possibilities offered by hydrogen and fuel cells as Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) continues its research for future product development programmes. It results from a research project between 2018 and 2022 funded by FFI, a national collaboration between the Swedish Innovation Agency VINNOVA, the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Transport Administration to support strategic research, innovation and development of sustainable vehicles. Much of the development and construction of the six-wheeled prototype took place at Volvo CE’s facilities in Braås, Sweden.
Engineers at the Eskilstuna Technology Centre in Sweden have contributed software development and knowledge from its fuel cell test laboratory. Although not yet available, the valuable information gained from this concept will inevitably inform future production.
