Through partnerships, joint ventures, and co-creation, we leverage expertise and technology to create value and accelerate the transition to a sustainable transportation system. Technology is developing at a faster pace than ever before. From autonomous transport solutions to Artificial Intelligence, Volvo Group works with the latest technology with a clear aim - to shape the world we want to live in. Our approach is based collaboration and close partnerships. We understand that technology and innovative thinking can be combined in new ways, offering fresh and innovative solutions. Based on emerging technologies and the latest findings within connectivity, automation and electrification, we see great opportunities to co-create a more sustainable transport system and to help society prosper.
At Volvo Group we believe that partnership is the best way forward. This is why we work closely with both suppliers and indeed competitors to drive the change we wish to see and shape the world we want to live in.
We collaborate with societal partners to effect change. As one of the founders of the First Movers Coalition, a global initiative harnessing purchasing power to decarbonize industry, we work to create impact and lead the transition to a net-zero world.
Innovation in both products and services can change our world for the better. This is why we place emphasis on working with start-ups and academia to hasten the transition to a net-zero transportation system, and a net-zero society.
In many instances the power of two or more players can create the momentum to fast-track the adoption of new technologies and provide the scale necessary to make things happen. We have always been open to collaborating with suppliers and other players in the sector to help move our industry forward and tackle the challenges of today.
We have a broad range of partners – from our 51,000 supply chain partners around the Globe, to partnerships with academia, safety institutes and more, along with developmental and high-impact partners. You can read more about some of these partners below.
Volvo Group and Samsung SDI have a strategic alliance to develop battery packs for Volvo Group’s electric trucks. Working with Samsung SDI, Volvo Group aims to accelerate the speed of development, and strengthen the long-term capabilities and assets within electromobility to benefit our customers across truck segments and markets.
Volvo Autonomous Solutions is partnering up with industry pioneer Aurora to develop and scale safe and efficient autonomous transport solutions with the Aurora Driver and Volvo’s on-highway truck offering. The partnership’s initial focus is a hub-to-hub applications for North America.
ElectriCity is a cooperation for sustainable and electrified travel and transport. It is another example of how we build partnerships between industry, the public sector and academia.
Volvo Group and Ovako are collaborating on fossil-free hydrogen. Sweden’s largest fossil-free hydrogen facility is being built in Hofors. The technical solution will enable large-scale cost-effective production of hydrogen for applications like fossil-free freight using fuel-cell trucks.
Volvo Group and SSAB have signed a collaboration agreement on research, development, serial production and commercialization of the world’s first vehicles to be made with fossil-free steel.
Volvo Group works with a variety of partners with the ambition to increase the pace of transition to a net-zero world.
You can read more about our partnerships, below.
Volvo Group is one of the founding members of the First Movers Coalition (FMC), a global initiative harnessing the purchasing power of companies to decarbonize seven hard-to-abate industrial sectors that currently account for 30% of global emissions: Aluminum, Aviation, Chemicals, Concrete, Shipping, Steel, and Trucking, along with innovative Carbon Removal technologies.
The 50+ companies who make up the coalition seek to send a powerful market signal to commercialize zero-carbon technologies. The First Movers Coalition’s unique approach assembles ambitious corporate purchasing pledges across the heavy industry and long-distance transport sectors responsible for a third of global emissions. For these sectors to decarbonize at the speed needed to keep the planet on a 1.5-degree pathway, they require low-carbon technologies that are not yet competitive with current carbon-intensive solutions, but must reach commercial scale by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions globally by 2050.
To jump-start the market, the coalition’s members commit in advance to purchasing a proportion of the industrial materials and long-distance transportation they need from suppliers using near-zero or zero-carbon solutions, despite the premium cost.
In addition to the advance purchase commitments that FMC members have made, the members also pledge to work together to address roadblocks towards securing supply of required low-carbon technologies by 2030. The Coalition will connect members with financial players, suppliers, and other value chain partners. In doing so, the FMC will further ensure the development of key technologies and power our net-zero future for years to come.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the WWF. The purpose is to provide technical assistance and expert resources to companies who set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science.
The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance is working towards the ambitious deployment of hydrogen technologies by 2030 by bringing together renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, transmission and distribution actors with demand in industry, mobility and other sectors. With the alliance, the EU wants to build its global leadership in this domain in support of the EU’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Responsible Minerals Initiative is a broad industry collaboration platform addressing responsible mineral sourcing issues in global supply chains. Its aim is to develop and provide tools and resources to make sourcing decisions that improve regulatory compliance.
H2Accelerate is an industry collaboration focusing on creating the conditions for the mass-market roll-out of hydrogen trucks in Europe.
Race to Zero is a part of the United Nations’ many initiatives for climate action. By committing to the Business Ambition of 1.5 °C, Volvo Group is automatically in-line with the Race to Zero.
The Energy Transition Commission is a global coalition from across the energy landscape committed to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.
We believe that the future is dependent on the brilliant minds of today. As such, we are engaged with multiple start-up hubs, accelerators, and academic partners, with the express aim of driving innovation forward. By actively encouraging investment in tomorrow's innovations we create the potential for groundbreaking new products, services and solutions. You can read more about our approach below.
These programs are designed for graduates who want to shape the future of transportation and enjoy the exciting opportunities of interacting with people from around the world. We offer a palette of international graduate programs tailored to meet your needs that are designed to help you excel.
Read more about our graduate programs
The Academic Partner Program (APP) is a Volvo Group strategic long-term initiative to support the delivery of the group’s vision by connecting Volvo Group expertise with global academic research and innovation environments in critical technology areas.
Innovation Lab is the place to identify, explore and validate new ideas and new business opportunities, driven by trends in society. Our Innovation Lab works closely with the truck divisions and business areas in Volvo Group, as well as partners, customers and start-ups. It’s a place with a lot of energy, where we have fun and accelerate ideas all the way to market.
The choices we make today will define the world we will live in tomorrow. That’s why we invite partners, including customers, start-ups, suppliers, academia, and authorities, to collaborate with Volvo Group in the development of future transport and infrastructure solutions. In a fast-changing technology landscape and global economy, collaboration and diversity are essential in increasing speed and solving societal challenges. We have CampX hubs in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lyon in France, Greensboro in the United States, and Bangalore in India.
Our partner DRIVE is a leading innovation center for smart mobility technologies. At DRIVE, start-ups gain meaningful market opportunities while Volvo Group is provided with early insights into the start-ups’ cutting edge technologies.
MobilityXlab is a strategic partnership with six global players; Volvo Group, Volvo Cars, Ericsson, Zenseact, Veoneer and CEVT. MobilityXlab offers start-ups with pioneering ideas the opportunity to accelerate with at least two of the partner companies.
AI Sweden is a national centre designed to accelerate innovation and research in practically-applied Artificial Intelligence. Volvo Group is one of the partners.
The Volvo LIGHTS project will demonstrate the ability of battery electric vehicles to improve freight and warehouse efficiencies, reduce emissions and improve public health – particularly in disadvantaged communities. It will transform freight operations in two of the United States’ top trucking fleets.
