Scania & DHL Test E-Truck with Fuel-Powered Range Extender
In February 2025, Scania and DHL Group will deploy an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) to test parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg in Germany. The jointly developed electric truck includes a fuel-powered generator, accelerating the shift to battery-electric road transport without waiting for a fully built charging infrastructure.
Both companies recognise the need for immediate solutions to overcome electric trucks' hurdles, such as a lack of charging points and high grid demands during seasonal peaks. The EREV addresses these challenges by driving 80-90% on renewable electricity while reducing carbon emissions.
Fuel-powered generator as a range extender
The EREV replaces one of its battery packs with a fuel-powered generator. While reducing the electric-only range, the generator provides backup energy when needed. Depending on the test results, the vehicle offers a range of 650 to 800 kilometres and refuel at conventional petrol stations. Scania's most advanced fully electric trucks currently provide a 550-kilometre range.
"A Pragmatic Solution for Sustainability"
Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, highlighted the importance of interim solutions, stating:
"It is going to take some time before renewable electricity, the grid and charging infrastructure are robust enough to fully support battery-electric trucks, especially for a large-scale system like DHL's German parcel network. Instead of waiting, DHL and Scania collaborate on a pragmatic solution to make logistics more sustainable and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80%. This vehicle is a sensible, practical solution that can contribute immediately to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Such reductions should proportionally reflect in road toll pricing and the EU fleet emission scheme."
Tobias highlighted that the collaboration demonstrates the innovation of both companies in battling climate change.
Interim solutions support decarbonisation
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, explained the broader role of interim solutions in the transition to fully electric transport: "The future is electric, but perfect must not be the enemy of good as we are getting there.
The vehicle we have developed with DHL is an example of interim solutions that enhance the scaling of decarbonised heavy transport before we achieve 100% electrification. An effective climate transition requires policymakers to accept such solutions while ramping up investments in public infrastructure."
Key specifications of the EREV
The 10.5-meter-long truck, with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons, is powered by a 230kW electric engine (295kW peak).
A 416 kWh battery provides energy, while a 120 kW gasoline-powered generator extends the range to 800 kilometres. Initially powered by petrol, the generator can later use diesel or HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel. The software can limit the generator's usage to manage emissions.
The truck's top speed is 89 km/h and its cargo capacity is approximately 1,000 parcels, equivalent to a swap body. It can tow a trailer with an additional swap body, making it an efficient option for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg.
Policy incentives needed for wider adoption
The EREV, developed by Scania Pilot Partner, explores new technologies in collaboration with strategic partners like DHL. EREVs offer significant CO2 reductions where infrastructure for fully electric transport is lacking.
Christian highlighted that EU and national policies should recognise and incentivise such innovations through proportional road toll reductions and realistic emission intensity recognition.
The partnership between Scania and DHL illustrates the importance of interim solutions in accelerating the transition to sustainable logistics. While full EVs remain the ultimate goal, the EREV offers a practical and immediate way to decarbonise freight transport and reduce emissions in the short term.
As these two industry leaders continue to innovate, deploying EREVs may set a precedent for future developments in sustainable transport solutions.
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