Pioneering E-Mobility at EVS38: Volvo Group's Push for Transformation in Heavy-Duty Transportation
Key Ideas
- Lars Stenqvist, CTO of Volvo Group, emphasizes the need for a collective effort to accelerate the transformation towards e-mobility in heavy-duty transportation.
- Volvo Group leads in the European electric truck market with a 60% market share, but Stenqvist believes more effort is needed to stimulate demand for electric vehicles.
- The company is investing in battery-electric, fuel cell electric vehicles running on hydrogen, and renewable energy for combustion engines, believing in the coexistence of multiple technologies for decarbonization.
- Successful transformation in e-mobility requires long-term incentives like usage-based schemes, as demonstrated by countries like Switzerland with 0 road tax for zero-emission vehicles.
The Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS38) in Gothenburg saw Lars Stenqvist, Volvo Group CTO, urging for collective action to drive the transformation towards e-mobility. Despite Volvo's lead in the electric truck market, Stenqvist expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress and emphasized the need for all players to establish successful business cases. Volvo Group focuses on developing battery-electric, fuel cell electric vehicles running on hydrogen, and renewable energy for combustion engines simultaneously to address the diverse needs of the industry. Stenqvist highlighted the importance of long-term incentives, citing examples from countries like Switzerland that offer usage-based schemes to stimulate demand. The success of e-mobility, as seen in countries with progressive incentives, shows the potential for widespread adoption. Stenqvist's stance against technology mandates and support for a diverse range of solutions reflects Volvo's commitment to innovation and sustainability in heavy-duty transportation.