Horse Powertrain, a Renault-Geely joint venture focused on powertrain technology, has joined forces with Scania to test range-extended hybrid technology for heavy-duty timber transport. The pilot truck, operated by SCA in northern Sweden, pairs Scania’s electric drivetrain with a compact generator designed by Horse Powertrain’s Aurobay Technologies division.
The collaboration explores a practical way to cut emissions in long-haul operations where charging stations are still limited. The truck is built for the demanding forestry routes of northern Sweden, carrying full timber loads through steep, remote terrain. Adding a powerful battery-electric drive with a 120 kW range-extender unit based on a 2.0-liter multi-fuel engine will help the truck cover long distances while keeping CO₂ emissions low.
The vehicle’s route spans around 16 kilometers, completing 7 to 8 trips daily, similar to a diesel truck’s productivity but with lower emissions and less downtime since charging breaks are avoided. The range-extender acts only as an onboard charger, supplying power when needed, such as during long hauls or extreme temperatures.
Scania shared that a similar trial in Germany earlier this year logged nearly 22,000 km, with the truck running on pure electric power more than 90% of the time and reducing CO₂ emissions by over 90% compared to diesel.
The pilot project allows engineers to collect real-world data on performance, fuel use, and durability under real working conditions. The range-extender’s modular design is based on technology already used in passenger and light commercial hybrids, adapted for heavy-duty strength and reliability.
The test results will help shape future versions of the system, with the goal of making electric trucks more capable for industries that need both long range and high power.Drive home your next truck from TruckDeal.com.ph.
