Scania Australia Imports Battery Electric Trucks for Evaluation
Will Australia overcome the subsidy and infrastructure challenges to embrace battery electric trucks?
Scania Australia has recently brought in three battery electric trucks from Sweden for evaluation. These trucks are part of the Scania 25 P lineup and are equipped with a mid-mounted permanent magnet electric motor powered by nine lithium-ion batteries. The trucks have a total output of 300kWh and a range of up to 250km, making them suitable for intracity and municipal applications. However, the acceptance of battery electric trucks in Australia is currently hindered by subsidies and infrastructure challenges.
Charging the Scania 25 P trucks is done through a CCS Type 2 plug at a maximum rate of 130kW/200A DC. According to Scania, the trucks can be charged in less than 100 minutes.
Benjamin Nye, the Director of Truck Sales at Scania Australia, mentioned that the main interest in the battery electric trucks is coming from larger fleets. Smaller businesses find it challenging to justify the higher cost of these trucks due to legislation and infrastructure limitations.
Mr. Nye emphasized the need for improved infrastructure and governmental support to facilitate the adoption of battery electric trucks. He highlighted the positive impact these trucks could have on metropolitan road freight networks, reducing both noise and air pollution.
The higher cost of battery electric trucks compared to their diesel counterparts is a major barrier for many potential buyers. Additionally, the reduced payload capacity and existing issues with charging infrastructure and the electricity grid make it difficult to convince businesses to invest in these vehicles.
Mr. Nye believes that legislative changes and government assistance for heavy vehicle manufacturers are necessary to drive the transition towards an electric heavy vehicle fleet.
Scania has also imported electric bus chassis for trial use by the South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport. These buses aim to demonstrate the benefits of silent running and zero tailpipe emissions.
The goal of importing the battery electric trucks is to evaluate their performance in real-work environments and determine where they would be best employed in Australia. Scania is aware of the challenges posed by the current operating environment and is working on providing comprehensive operating solutions for customers interested in adding battery electric vehicles to their fleet. These solutions would cover charging, operation, maintenance, service, repair, financing, and insurance, with continuous guidance from Scania’s electrification experts.
- Scania Australia has imported three battery electric trucks for evaluation
- The trucks are part of the Scania 25 P lineup and have a range of up to 250km
- Acceptance of battery electric trucks in Australia is limited due to subsidy and infrastructure challenges
Although there is limited acceptance of battery electric trucks in Australia, Scania Australia is taking steps to evaluate their performance and identify suitable applications. The challenges related to subsidies and infrastructure need to be addressed for widespread adoption. With improved support and infrastructure, battery electric trucks have the potential to revolutionize the transport industry and reduce emissions.