Scania and DHL Group have developed an electric truck with a fuel-powered generator to facilitate the transition to battery-electric road transport while charging infrastructure scales.
The Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) will launch this month for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg, Germany, under DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division, according to a Feb. 20 Scania release.
The EREV replaces one battery pack with a fuel-powered generator, providing backup energy while allowing DHL to operate 80% to 90% on renewable electricity. The truck has an estimated range of 650 to 800 kilometers, compared to the 550-kilometer range of Scania’s fully electric models. The vehicle can refuel at conventional stations if needed, according to the release.
DHL Chief Executive of Global Business Services Tobias Meyer emphasized the need for interim solutions to cut emissions while charging infrastructure develops.
Scania CEO Christian Levin echoed the sentiment, urging policymakers to support transitional technologies to accelerate decarbonization, according to the release.
The 40 metric-ton truck features a 230 kW electric engine, a 416 kWh battery and a 120 kW gasoline-powered generator. It can carry approximately 1,000 parcels and tow an additional swap body trailer, according to the release.
The collaboration aims to demonstrate the viability of range-extended electric trucks as a bridge toward fully electric freight transport.
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