Electric Trucks
Electric trucks: an increasingly compelling option Heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer, Scania, has launched its first electric truck range, with both full electric and plug-in hybrid variants. The company explains why it is taking the electrific route Transport buyers, cities and consumers are having a strong pull effect on the shift of the heavy transport industry to sustainable transport solutions, particularly electrification. This is creating a positive upside on revenues at the same time as technological advances make the cost of operations much more favourable. It all adds up to the fact that electrification is a solution whose time has come.
distribution trucks will be comparable with There are several different technologies that vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Batteries will enable the world to decarbonise the will become less expensive, and their service transport system and help Scania meet its own life will grow. This paves the way not only science-based climate targets. Electrification for electrified distribution trucks but will, without question, play a crucial part also, in few years’ time, for longin achieving decarbonisation. distance electrified operations. In the mid-term, Scania However, it’s not expects that the total Off-pea just about the vehicles. cost of ownership of deliveri k e Electrification can only battery-powered heavy s b y a Scani take off if Scania works a h y bridelectric together with its customers and partners 30 per truck were c e n on the infrastructure t q u than th side and energy supply. e equiv icker daytime al It will then be possible transpoent to get electric trucks rt route running on renewable energy out on the roads. Additionally public investments in charging infrastructure and development of the energy grid is required. Shifting cost split Purchasing a new truck always represents a significant investment and electric trucks are currently more expensive than conventional vehicles. But it’s also important to note that the heavy transport industry’s true measure of value comes from total cost of ownership and operation, and this is where the electric truck proves its worth. No more dealing with high (and ever-fluctuating) fuel bills. And the electric truck customer is able to benefit from the full Scania offer, including financing, service and maintenance, and driver service and assistance packages, like any other truck buyer. As the technology develops to produce lighter, smaller, more energy-intensive models, the cost of electric-power batteries has and will continue to decrease significantly. Charging is also part of the customer offer that Scania, with partners, can provide to electric truck owners, to optimise the vehicle for current and future operational needs. Overall, there’s a trend towards a positive cost split for electric trucks, which is good news for fleet owners. Competitive advantages of electric vehicles Public policy is having a big impact on the viability of electric vehicles. A number of major
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