The Swedish company began testing this fuel cell articulated transporter prototype a few days ago. Called Volvo HX04, it is the result of a research project carried out between 2018 and 2022 by Volvo, the Swedish research institutes RISE and the fuel cell manufacturer PowerCell Sweden.
“Our company invented the world’s first articulated truck more than half a century ago. We are therefore proud to work on the development of this innovative prototype. The tests we are currently conducting will provide us with valuable information on the possibilities offered by hydrogen with regard to construction vehicles. By exploring various technologies and collaborating with several companies, we can successfully decarbonize this sector“says Carolina Diez Ferrer, Volvo’s Advanced Engineering Programs Manager.
A powerful construction vehicle!
Nicknamed “Electric Charlie”, the Volvo HX04 was largely developed and built at the Volvo factory located in Braas, Sweden (where the DR 631 or “Gravel Charlie” was born in 1966, the first transporter articulated to the world).
For its hydrogen refueling, the prototype equipped with six wheels has an infrastructure designed by Shell. The vehicle carries 12 kg of hydrogen which can be supplied in less than 8 minutes and which gives it a range of approximately 4 hours.
