Scania and DHL Group have joined forces to create an innovative electric truck designed to help address the challenges of transitioning to battery-electric road transport. The new vehicle, which features a fuel-powered generator, aims to tackle issues like limited charging infrastructure, peak charging costs, and grid strain. This partnership will help DHL move closer to its goal of using renewable electricity for 80-90% of its transport needs.
The truck, known as the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV), is a 10.5-meter-long vehicle with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons. It is equipped with a 230kW electric engine (295 kW peak) and a 416 kWh battery. To extend its driving range, the EREV also includes a 120 kW gasoline-powered generator, which can later be switched to run on diesel or HVO. This generator boosts the vehicle’s range to as much as 800 kilometers, providing essential backup energy during long trips.
In addition to the range extension, the truck’s software allows the use of the generator to be limited, helping reduce CO2 emissions. The EREV can reach a top speed of 89 km/h and carry around 1,000 parcels, or the equivalent of a swap body. It is also capable of towing a trailer with another swap body. The vehicle will be trialed in DHL’s fleet for transport between Berlin and Hamburg.
The addition of the fuel-powered generator replaces one of the truck’s battery packs, which lowers the overall battery range but ensures the vehicle has energy support when needed. The truck can be refueled at any conventional petrol station and is expected to offer a range of 650 to 800 kilometers, depending on the test results. In comparison, Scania’s current electric trucks offer a range of 550 kilometers.
DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer explained, “It will take time for renewable electricity, grid infrastructure, and charging stations to meet the needs of large-scale systems like our German parcel network. Instead of waiting, we are working with Scania on a practical solution that already reduces CO2 emissions by over 80%.”
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, highlighted the importance of interim solutions, saying, “The future is electric, but we must find ways to scale decarbonized transport in the short term. This collaboration with DHL shows how we can help mitigate climate change while working towards fully electrified transport.”
Scania, a global leader in mobility solutions, has more than 130 years of experience in developing transportation products and services. With a workforce of over 50,000 employees in more than 100 countries, Scania provides custom solutions to meet a wide range of customer needs. The company is also a leading supplier of engines for industrial, marine, and power generation purposes, focusing on sustainability in all aspects of its operations.
Scania entered the Indian market in 2007, focusing on revolutionizing the mining and construction sectors. By 2011, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt Ltd. was established, with an advanced automotive assembly plant in Narasapura, Karnataka. The company is dedicated to promoting smart and sustainable mobility solutions, especially through locally produced biofuels that help reduce carbon emissions.
