SCA, together with Scania, has developed the world's first electric timber truck with a capacity to carry 80 metric tons and the new truck has been delivered to SCA.
"We have come a long way in the industrial processes that are already today 96 percent fossil-free," said Hans Djurberg, head of sustainability at SCA. "We are very happy to be able to break new ground together with Scania to make the heaviest transports fossil-free."
Fredrik Allard, head of E-mobility at Scania, explained, "The 80-ton battery-powered timber truck shows that even really heavy transports can be electrified. The partnership with SCA — where you are out early and show what is possible — is a clear signal that it is possible to electrify even heavy transports.
"An electric timber truck is a symbol of something quite cool. Shipping of just timber has been talked about as something that might never be possible to electrify. The development in recent years and what we now present together with SCA shows how fast the development takes place both in terms of vehicles and batteries," Allard added.
Test Runs During the Summer
SCA said the intention is for the vehicle to transport timber on the stretch between SCA's timber terminal in Gimonäs and the paper mill in Obbola outside Umeå. The new electric timber truck is another innovative step on the journey towards a fossil-free society and can be driven with a total weight of 64 metric tons on public roads and 80 metric tons on private roads.
The electric timber truck will be tested during the summer and continuously studied by the research institute Skogforsk to collect relevant data that can form the basis for comparisons with conventional diesel-powered timber transports. Thereafter, the plan is for it to be included in SCA's regular operations.
Djurberg noted, "This is a first concrete step towards electric power in the most difficult part of the land-based transport chain, which is extremely important. This is a global challenge that many have struggled with and now we are showing together with an innovative partner, Scania, that Swedish industry can drive sustainability development.
"The studies carried out during the summer will, among other things, compare energy consumption, productivity and costs in relation to existing vehicles and map out what would be required for a broad implementation of electric timber trucks throughout the country."
Trial Facts
• 6 turns per day, Gimonäs timber terminal to Obbola paper mill, Monday-Friday, approx. 07: 00-17: 00.
• Distance: about 30 km round trip
• Time required: approx. 75 min per load (including loading / unloading)
• The car is charged with an ABB charger of 180 Kw at Obbola.
According to SCA, the use of a single electric truck between Gimonäs and Obbola could reduce emissions by about 55,000 kg of carbon dioxide per year.
The project is part of REEL, a national initiative where leading Swedish players have joined forces to accelerate the transition to electrified emission-free heavy transport on our roads. The initiative, led by CLOSER, is part-financed by the Vehicle Strategic Research and Innovation (FFI) program through Vinnova and the Swedish Energy Agency.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/