Scania unveils electric and hybrid models

Swedish truck maker as launched fully electric and plug-in hybrid trucks onto the European market

Scania’s electric truck will initially focus on urban applications.

Scania has announced the launch of its first commercial range of electric trucks onto the European market, which it says not only marks a significant step in the company’s development, but will transition itself towards a sustainable transport system.

According to Scania, the high-performance plug-in hybrid and fully electric trucks will initially focus on urban applications, including distribution to retailers.

However, over the coming years, Scania says it will continue to develop its range of electrified vehicles for all applications, including long-haulage and construction.

“It is with a great deal of pride that we announce the start of Scania’s long-term electrification commitment,” says Scania’s president and CEO Henrik Henriksson.

“We will over the coming years annually launch electrified products for our entire range, and we are presently reorganising our production towards that end.

“Of particular significance is that we will in a few years’ time, also introduce long-distance electric trucks adapted for fast charging during drivers’ compulsory 45-minute rest periods.”

Scania says the electrification of the heavy commercial truck fleet is decisive in reaching the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees C. The company believes E-vehicles will increasingly become an attractive option for progressive customers.

The Scania fully electric truck – offered with L- and P-series cabs – comes equipped with a 165-300kWh battery pack for the 230kW electric motor, equal to approximately 310hp. Scania points out that customers can select either five or nine batteries, the latter for a range of up to 250km on a single charge.

With the combustion engine removed, one battery is placed in the former engine tunnel with the remaining four or eight batteries placed along the chassis side.

The batteries can be charged by 130kW DC using a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector. The charging time is said to be less than 55 minutes for the five-battery option and less than 100 minutes for the nine-battery option. In addition, Scania says the batteries are continuously charged in motion through regenerative braking energy.

Scania claims its five-battery fully electric truck can be charged in under 55 minutes.

Scania’s plug-in hybrid truck, also available for L- and P-series cabs, is reported to provide opportunities to travel long distances in a combustion engine mode and subsequently drive up to 60km in an electric mode when required.

Due to the hybrid’s truck combustion engine, there is less available space for batteries. Hence, Scania says the truck is equipped with three batteries for an installed capacity of 90kWh for the 115kW electric motor.

Scania advises that the charging time from nil to 80 percent is approximately 35 minutes and in addition to charging via regenerative braking energy, battery power can be topped up during loading and unloading. The electric powertrain is combined with a 280-360 hp combustion engine.

“Although electrified vehicles in certain aspects represent a new technology, we’ve taken all possible steps to ensure that we apply the same unwavering uptime criteria as for our other trucks,” says Anders Lampinen, director, new technologies.

In addition to general cargo and temperature-controlled transports, Scania says e-trucks can be gainfully deployed with bodywork as hooklifts, tippers, concrete mixers and refuse collectors as well as for fire and rescue services.

“We are convinced that progressive customers will be eager to lead the way into electrification by taking initial steps to future-proof their fleets,” Lampinen says.

“In major transport companies with large fleets, implementation gives them an early opportunity to gain experience in this area. Meanwhile, we know that large transport buyers are interested in reducing their carbon footprints.”

Both the plug-in and fully electric truck are seen as essential for operating in the growing number of urban areas around the world with low-emission city centre zones. With silent deliveries, transport services could be extended into the night and early mornings, avoiding traffic congestion and parking difficulties, providing opportunities for increased vehicle utilisation.

Scania cites studies that show off-peak deliveries can be more than 30 percent quicker than on equivalent daytime transport routes thanks to simpler parking at delivery points, less queuing, higher speeds and more frequently green lights at intersections.

Scania says with the silent mode of both trucks and the 2200Nm torque acceleration of the fully electric model, they will offer a very different driving experience.

“We know that there are plenty of young and experienced drivers that will be attracted not only by tangibly contributing to sustainable transports but also by the opportunity to be among the first on the road with these trucks of the future,” Lampinen says.

However, Scania says these new environmentally-friendly trucks are currently only available for the European market, with no current details of any impending release in Australia.

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