Scania, SKF, and LOTS Group are collaborating to promote sustainable logistics by launching one of the longest European battery electric truck routes. The organizations say that the goal is to achieve a 97% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (WtW) while optimizing transport efficiency, with 85% of the vehicle’s annual mileage completed with full loads.
The route, operated in partnership with Ahréns Åkeri, will cover a 221,000 kilometers (137,323 miles) per year. The partners say using electric trucks will save saving of 298 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to Sweden’s annual CO2 emissions of 210 passenger cars.
In Europe, 60% of all road freight travels more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) per day. The partners expect this project to demonstrate that complex parts of the transport system can be electrified.
Proving a Point on BEV Transport
The partners say the goal is to create recurring loops with guaranteed volumes and high vehicle utilization. This can help the reduce financial risk of investing in green technology. The partners say making the European battery electric truck route successful will show that sustainable logistics can be green and cost-effective.
The plan for implementing electric vehicles is phased, with flows being verified in early 2025 and full-scale operation planned for mid-year.
Hampus Ahrén, Operations Manager at Ahréns Åkeri, says, “By ensuring full capacity utilization in both directions and optimized charging, we not only see significant environmental benefits but also a substantial improvement in operational efficiency. Long-term contracts and stable volumes enable us to invest in green technology, making this partnership both sustainable and economically advantageous.”
The partnership will validate all operational parameters, including optimizing energy usage, electricity pricing, and maximizing vehicle utilization, before transitioning to full two-shift operations.
Collaborating to Reduce Emissions
“This partnership is a significant step forward in transitioning to sustainable logistics. Through collaboration between transport buyers, carriers, and charging partners, we are not only reducing emissions but also maximizing utilization, which is key to economically sustainable transport. Our goal is for this to become a benchmark for future logistics solutions in Europe,” says Johan Palmqvist, Managing Director Europe, LOTS Group.
“This collaboration helps us ensure energy-efficient and environmentally friendly transports to our customers, who support our ambition to reach net zero climate impact in the whole value chain,” says Måns Isacsson, Logistics Manager, SKF Sverige.
“At Scania, we are enthusiastic about seeing how collaboration between leading industrial players paves the way for electric transport and redefines the logistics system as a whole. The partnership between SKF, LOTS, and Scania demonstrates that freight transport with battery electric vehicles is feasible, not just for shorter urban routes but also for long-distance and heavy transport. This partnership aligns with Scania’s purpose to drive the shift towards a sustainable transport system,” says Gustaf Sundell, Head of Scania Ventures and New Business.
