Truck makers and suppliers are taking steps toward developing hydrogen combustion engines on the path to a zero-emission future.

It sounds inconceivable that Europe’s plan for electric vehicles almost went awry because of an expensive technology that’s virtually unavailable, but that’s exactly what happened.

Automakers from Tesla Inc. to Ford Motor Co. are developing ever-sleeker, futuristic-looking electric cars. Volvo AB has something a little different in the race: the battery-powered garbage truck.