Scania rolls out range-extending generator for DHL electrics
Scania and DHL Group have announced the joint development of an electric truck with a fuel-powered generator, which the manufacturer says will help overcome challenges posed by the current lack of charging infrastructure.
“Fully electric vehicles are the ultimate solution in a sustainable transport system, and the shift to electric needs to accelerate now,” said Scania.
“There are, however, hurdles such as the lack of charging points, the high costs of ensuring enough charging capacity at the depots during seasonal peaks, and the strain on the grid and high spot prices for electricity on for instance calm winter days.”
Scania and DHL’s Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) helps to overcome these hurdles, the firms say, while enabling DHL to drive 80-90 per cent on renewable electricity.
The new e-truck was set to be deployed by DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division this month, operating between Berlin and Hamburg, to test its day-to-day operational performance before additional vehicles are added to the fleet.
The fuel-powered generator – initially powered by petrol and later by diesel fuel/HVO – replaces one of the battery packs. It has potential range of 650 to 800 kilometres (subject to the findings from the test), comparing favourably with the 550km of Scania’s 100 per cent electric trucks with an equivalent maximum weight, and can be refuelled at any conventional petrol station.
The 10.5-metre-long EREV truck has a maximum weight of 40 metric tons, powered by a 230kW electric engine (295 kW peak). Energy is delivered by a 416 kWh battery and a 120 kW gasoline powered generator.
EREVs can be equipped with a software limiting the usage of the fuel-powered generator, says Scania, thereby allowing CO2 emissions to be reduced and limited to a specified level. Its maximum speed is 89 km/h (just over 55mph), with a cargo capacity of approximately 1,000 parcels (volume of a swap body). The truck can also pull a trailer with an additional swap body.
DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer said: “It is going to take some time before renewable electricity, the grid and charging infrastructure are available and robust enough to rely fully on battery-electric trucks, especially for a large-scale system like the German parcel network of DHL.
“Instead of waiting for this day to come, DHL and Scania are collaborating on a pragmatic solution for making logistics more sustainable and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80 per cent. This vehicle is a sensible, practical solution that can make an immediate contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport short-term.
“Such reductions should be proportionally reflected in the road toll pricing and EU fleet emission scheme.
“We see this collaboration as a successful innovation project of two companies committed to battle climate change.”
Scania says range-extended electric vehicles offer a promising interim solution for significant CO2e reductions, especially where infrastructure and other conditions for fully electric transport are lacking, and has called on EU and national policies to recognise and incentivise the concept, including through road toll reductions.
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, added: “The future is electric, but perfect must not be the enemy of good as we are getting there. The vehicle we have developed together with DHL is an example of interim solutions that can enhance the scaling of decarbonised heavy transport before the transport system eventually becomes 100 per cent electrified.
“An effective climate transition requires that policymakers accept such solutions, while ramping up their investments in public infrastructure and other enabling conditions.”
