Scania's new electric truck charges the battery using a diesel engine. In theory, the combination can travel 800 km on a single charge.
Scania is introducing a new truck model that uses a diesel engine as a range extender for battery operation. The Swedes believe the truck can travel 800 kilometers on 'one charge'.
– Electrification is the future, but temporary solutions must be accepted during the transition period, says Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, in a press release .
In collaboration with the logistics company DHL, Scania has developed an electric truck with a range extender.
The diesel-powered generator, which acts as a replacement for one of the battery packs, can run on diesel or HVO.
The generator increases the truck's potential range to between 650 and 800 kilometers, which exceeds the range of the latest electric trucks with a similar total weight, which is typically around 550 kilometers.
Scania's new diesel-electric truck will carry 1,000 packages at a time
Since February, Scania's new truck model has been in operation at Post & Parcel in Germany, transporting goods between Berlin and Hamburg.
The 10.5-meter-long truck was developed by Scania Pilot Partner. It has a gross vehicle weight of 40 tons and is powered by a 230 kW electric motor. It is also equipped with a 416 kWh battery.
The truck's top speed is 89 km/h, and it can load up to 1,000 packages.
– The vehicle, developed in collaboration with DHL, demonstrates the potential of temporary solutions that contribute to reducing climate impact in a transition phase towards full electrification of the transport sector.
– Decision-makers should recognize the value of such solutions to achieve an effective climate transition, explains Christian Levin, CEO of Scania.
DHL plans to expand its fleet with more of these trucks in the future.
– It will take some time for there to be sufficient access to renewable electricity, network capacity and charging infrastructure to rely solely on battery-powered trucks, especially in a large logistics network like DHL's German parcel network.
– In the meantime, DHL and Scania are collaborating to implement a practical solution that increases sustainability in logistics and reduces CO2 emissions by over 80 percent, says Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group.
