McNeilus partners with SSAB on fossil fuel-free truck

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corp. company, has announced a partnership with SSAB in fossil fuel-free steel applications for severe-duty commercial vehicles.

SSAB, a Swedish steel manufacturer, initiated the partnership with Oshkosh Corp., OshKosh, Wisconsin, because of its reputation as an innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, including McNeilus’ refuse collection vehicles.

The first use of this fossil fuel-free steel will be to prototype advanced, environmentally sustainable McNeilus refuse collection vehicles. Oshkosh Corp. and McNeilus, Dodge Center, Minnesota, are working on research and development initiatives across multiple commercial vehicle product lines.

“Creating a more sustainable future is central to our strategic vision,” McNeilus President and Oshkosh Corp. Senior Vice President Brad Nelson says. “As a leader and innovator in the industries we serve, Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus are proud to partner with SSAB on this global initiative as a next step in delivering high-performance, sustainable products to our customers.”

SSAB aims to deliver fossil fuel-free steel to the market at a commercial scale during 2026 and delivered the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021. SSAB works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall in Sweden as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production. SSAB plans to replace coking coal—traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking—with fossil fuel-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide emissions in steel production.

“We are very happy to welcome Oshkosh Corporation and McNeilus into our partner group to be the first in the United States to prototype fossil-free steel in commercial and industrial vehicles,” SSAB President and CEO Martin Lindqvist says. “Demand for fossil-free steel continues to increase globally. This step confirms our commitments to mitigate global climate change and collaboration with forward-thinking organizations around the world for industry-leading change.”

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