Scania And DHL To Test Electric Truck With Fuel-Powered Range Extender For Parcel Transport

Scania and DHL Group have introduced an electric truck that includes a fuel-powered generator, allowing for extended range while maintaining a focus on battery-electric transport. The vehicle is designed to help address infrastructure challenges such as limited charging points and high electricity costs during peak seasons.

The new e-truck will be deployed by the Post & Parcel Germany division in February for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg to test its performance in day-to-day operations, before additional vehicles are added to DHL’s fleet.

The truck is 10.5 meters long, with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons. It is powered by a 230 kW electric engine (295 kW peak) and has a 416 kWh battery. A 120 kW fuel-powered generator that initially runs on petrol and later capable of using diesel or HVO, replaces one of the battery packs. This setup allows the vehicle to travel between 650 and 800 kilometers, depending on testing results. In comparison, Scania’s fully electric trucks can achieve up to 550 kilometers of range.

The EREV has been developed by Scania Pilot Partner, exploring new technologies and solutions, in this case together with the strategic partner DHL. 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. EU and national policies should recognise and incentivise this concept through adequate recognition of the realistic emission intensity in and proportional road toll reductions.

Christian Levin, CEO, Scania: “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 percent electrified. An effective climate transition requires that policymakers accept such solutions, while ramping up their investments in public infrastructure and other enabling conditions.”