Scania launches new battery electric trucks and a new sales approach

Scania has revealed the next step on its electrification journey with new battery electric trucks and what it calls a solutions-focused sales approach.

Both, it says, are designed to encourage customers make the switch and electrify their regional operations.

The new trucks come with an improved driveline, batteries and charging capability, and are available in R and S sleeper cabs and as a 4x2 tractor or as 6x2*4 rigid.

Scania will also support customers by being their single point of contact, to guarantee the approach and implementation of any solution suits their business and operations.

Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, said: “This introduction represents a major milestone for us and for our partners.

“We are now increasing our range and offering new opportunities to cater for a wider selection of customers and the whole transport ecosystem. These trucks are part of the solu­tion that the transport industry is asking for.”

Customers will be supported with operational factors and services too, says Scania. These will include charging, finance, insurance and maintenance.

Fredrik Allard, senior vice president and head of electrification at Scania, said: “The addition of these solutions is a major step-change for customers who want to take charge.

“We are facilitating a transition for our customers by including values they deem important, such as a close partnership and wanting to be zero emissions.

“Scania has now reached a maturity with its electric range. With this major addition to our existing hybrids and the battery electric trucks for urban distribution we intro­duced in 2020, we can now offer a sustainable and multi-faceted portfolio of zero-emission solutions for our customers.”

The trucks’ batteries have been improved, with 624 kWh packs installed, each assembled in-house at Scania.

The heating and cooling system has been reworked to maintain the powertrain’s and battery pack’s optimum operating temperature, but also to allow drivers greater control of the temperature in the cabin.

The vehicle’s range is dependent on several factors, including weight, configuration and topography, but a 4x2 tractor with six batteries will be able to do up to 350km (217 miles) between charges, travelling at an average speed of 50mph.

The charging capability has also been increased up to 375 kW, which means that after an hour of charging it can add up to 300km (186 miles) of range.

The continuous power output level for the Scania 45 R and S is 410 kW, approximately 560hp. While the new triple electric machine powertrain provides ample electro-mechanical power take-off to support power hungry applications.

This, says Scania, will mean customers will be able to use these new battery electric vehicles for temperature controlled and bulk transportation.

The 4x2 tractor’s axle distance has been increased to 4,150 mm when specified with six batteries, allowing it to bene­fit from the Increased Vehicle Dimen­sion regulation in Europe. Gross train weight for the tractor unit is up to 64 tonnes.

Levin said: “Tackling the global CO2 challenges means that we all need to produce and consume in new ways.

“Reduce, reuse and recycle have always been important for Scania. The only thing that stands between us and a major transition to a fossil-free transport system based on electrified solutions is a complete charging infrastructure, but we are seeing great progress there too.”

Scania’s new fully electric trucks are available for order now, with pro­duction commencing in Q4 2023.