Powerful electric trucks in Sweden and Denmark: The EV revolution is rolling forward
The EV revolution is rolling forward and it is not waiting to lag behind. Yesterday we presented a report from Fraunhofer ISI which explains why those who are waiting for hydrogen to become a fuel source for cars and trucks will definitely be disappointed. The report acknowledged that there could be some justification for hydrogen in heavy trucks traveling long distances or transporting particularly heavy loads, but today comes the news that battery-powered trucks are beginning to infiltrate those parts of the transport spectrum as well.
Powerful electric trucks from Scania in Sweden
Scania is a manufacturer of heavy trucks. It is part of Traton, which in turn is owned by the Volkswagen Group. MAN is also part of Traton. According to Electrive, Scania works with battery-electric trucks that are longer and heavier than EU standards. The custom-made products are developed together with three customers in Sweden. The first example is already in operation at the Swedish chemical supplier Wibax. Two more giant electric trucks will be delivered this year to SCA and Jula Logistics.
Scania emphasizes that the three electric trucks are not ordinary production models but rather individual items that have been “realized together with different partners and through in-depth analyzes”. The development takes place in close coordination with the customers. – We simulate the transport flows and deliver the trucks with the most suitable combination of components for each transport order – both in terms of vehicles and cargo. We really see the vehicles as a complete solution. ”
The tractor to Wibax travels an 80-kilometer stretch between Piteå and Skellefteå. Scania says it weighs 10.8 tonnes – about 1.5 tonnes more than a diesel-powered equivalent. The weight gain is mainly due to the battery pack of 300 kWh. Currently, the battery is charged with a 150 kW charger, but increases in charging power will come in the future.
“Since we were founded in 1986, we have strived to be sustainable, and since we have identified transport as our greatest environmental impact, this electric truck is a step that ensures that we can continue our business with respect for the climate. During the life of this truck, Wibax will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1,400 tonnes, which makes it a real game changer, ”says Jonas Wiklund, CEO of Wibax Group.
For Scania, it is the first electric truck of 64 tons to be used. “The key to achieving zero emissions in transport is electrification and we will achieve this goal together with customers and other stakeholders who share our values,” says Fredrik Allard, Head of E-Mobility at Scania. “Such partnerships, where we show early on what is possible, are a clear sign of the pace we need to become fossil-free and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Together with SCA and the research institute Skogforsk, Scania is working with an electric timber conveyor that will ensure a permissible total weight of up to 64 tonnes on public roads and 80 tonnes on private roads. The vehicle is planned to arrive in Västerbotten later this year, where it will transport timber between the SCA terminal in Gimonäs and the paper mill in Obbola near Umeå.
“Working with Scania is an important way for us to find innovative solutions for sustainable transport together. Electric felling trucks will make an important contribution to SCA’s sustainability work, says Hans Djurberg, sustainability manager at SCA. “If we only use an electric truck between Gimonäs and Obbola, we can reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by about 55,000 kilos per year.”
Scania manager Allard adds that timber transport has always been described as a sector that may never be electrified. “The development of recent years and what we now present with SCA shows how fast things are progressing both with vehicles and with batteries.” Charging infrastructure for such heavy trucks will be crucial for their wide acceptance.
Electric cement mixer from Volvo Trucks in Denmark
The Danish concrete manufacturer Unicon has ordered 11 Volvo FM Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks, which will be converted to concrete mixers and used in Denmark, Electrive reports. The two companies will work together to develop tailor-made electric truck solutions for the concrete industry.
The 11 rebuilt FM Electric trucks will be delivered at the end of this year. FM Electric is the largest model that Volvo Trucks manufactures. It has a gross weight of up to 44 tons and can be configured with many different numbers of axles and battery packs ranging between 450 kWh and 540 kWh.
“With this large order and ambitious collaboration agreements, we are putting concrete measures behind our CO2 emission targets for our distribution,” says Christian Elleby, Purchasing Director at Unicon. “With the new electric truck mixers, we are ready to support the requirements for emission-free construction sites in Denmark, as we see from the city of Copenhagen, as well as an increasing number of contractors and builders.”
Unicon is the largest manufacturer and supplier of ready-mixed concrete in Denmark. It employs more than 400 people in 35 factories. Annual production is about one million cubic meters, transported to construction sites with 195 trucks. It is planned that all its trucks will be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
“With these agreements, we are taking important steps to expand fossil-free distribution solutions to the concrete industry, where electrification of heavy vehicles has been a very difficult challenge due to the heavy loads and the continuous mixing requirements,” says Peter Ericson, CEO. of Volvo Trucks in Denmark. “We expect a lot of learning and development as a result of the collaboration for the benefit of an entire industry.”
Takeaway
Snoring diesels are the backbone of the trade – and an important source of carbon dioxide emissions, fine particles and nitrogen oxides. The former kill the planet. The latter kill us. News that electric trucks are starting to become available that can handle some of the toughest tasks in transportation should be welcome news for anyone who thinks a sustainable planet is a good idea.
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