Scania has launched its first fully electric truck range

Scania, the heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer, has launched its first fully electric truck range. 

With a range of up to 250 kilometres, the vehicles are capable of a full day’s operation before returning to base for overnight charging.  

The trucks are offered with either a 165 kWh or 300 kWh battery pack to power its 230kW electric motor. 

Five batteries are used for 165 kWh and nine batteries for 300 kWh. In 300kWh format, a range of up to 250 kilometres can be achieved on a single charge.

The trucks also come with a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector to charge the vehicle directly from the electric grid. With 130kW of charging, the five battery packs can be charged in less than 55 minutes. 

Therefore if there is a need for an extended range, the driver can fast charge the truck over a break. 

These vehicles are particularly well-suited to the needs of city distribution, and even make night-time deliveries possible, therefore cutting traffic and contributing to better overall air quality levels.

Scania has also launched its latest plug-in hybrid truck.

This vehicle provides drivers with an opportunity to travel long distances in combustion engine mode and up to 60 kilometres in electric mode.

Combined with renewable fuel, Scania’s plug-in hybrid will enable operators to significantly reduce their environmental impact.

The launch of these trucks is a major milestone in Scania’s sustainability commitment. 

The company has said they are committed to achieving a fossil-free commercial transport system and electric vehicles are a crucial part of this.

Scania’s President and CEO, Henrik Henriksson, said: ‘It is with a great deal of pride that we announce the start of Scania’s long-term electrification commitment.

‘Looking ahead, we will annually launch electrified products for our entire range, and we are presently reorganising our production towards that end.’

Tanya Neech, the UK’s sustainability officer added: ‘In 2016 Scania made a firm commitment to drive the shift towards more sustainable transport solutions. 

‘While the company has significantly reduced the carbon dioxide (CO₂₎ output from its own operations — ranging from sourcing materials, manufacturing and assembly to transport and logistics — we recognise that more than 90% of the CO₂ generated in our business occurs after our products leave our factories. 

‘Consequently, we have dedicated extensive resource to improving our performance in this respect.  

‘The launch of our electric vehicle range represents the next step for us as we continue to work to decarbonise our operations and assist UK transport operators on their own sustainability journeys. We now look forward to working with forward-looking customers who share our aims and aspirations and are keen to be early adopters of this exciting, sustainable, technology.’

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