There is no one-size-fits-all-universal solution within electrification of heavy commercial vehicles. One of the technology tracks that Scania has explored with its customer ASKO is fuel cell electric trucks powered by hydrogen gas. This venture now goes into the next phase with four trucks being put into real operation in a pilot that is one of the first of its kind. The pilot will be the basis for further learning and development for both companies.
Read more: Hydrogen Proves its Potential in Heavy-Duty Applications
“Scania continues to work with cutting edge technology that supports the shift to fossil free transport. An important part of this is done together with some of our most progressive partners, such as ASKO, in customer-near development,” says Karin Rådström, Head of Sales and Marketing at Scania.
Scania is working with its electrification roadmap in the same way as with combustion engine technology: a multi-facetted approach with a broad range of solutions. The company has researched and developed different kinds of bio-fueled hybrid-electric technologies, as well as fully-electric vehicles. Scania’s battery electric bus was launched in 2019; it also works with electric vehicles that can be charged via electrified roads or through hydrogen-powered fuel cells as is the case with ASKO.
“Hydrogen gas is an interesting option for long haulage electrified transport and early tests show that the technology also works well in colder climate[s]. We will continue to monitor the performance of these trucks closely. I also want to commend ASKO for taking early and bold steps to ensure a supply of hydrogen sourced from renewable sources and infrastructure for fueling. The company is a player who really take action to catalyze a shift toward sustainable transport,” says Rådström.
As always, Scania’s work is based on a modular approach. In the four trucks deployed in ASKO’s operations, the internal combustion engine in the powertrain is replaced by an electric machine, powered by electricity from fuel cells fed with hydrogen and from rechargeable batteries. The rest of the powertrain is composed of the same standard components used in the hybrid trucks and buses that Scania already delivers.
Facts about the truck:
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 26+1 tonnes
- Configuration: 6×2*4
- Powertrain: 290 kW electric machine/210 kW continuous output, 2-speed transmission, 2,200 Nm peak torque
- Installed battery capacity: 56 kWh Li-ion
- On-board charger: 22 kW AC with CCS charging interface
- Fuel cell: 90 kW PEFC delivered from a third party
- Hydrogen storage: 33 kg at 350 bar
- Estimated range: 400-500 km
Read more about how hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles work.
