A Swedish forestry company, SCA, has partnered with Horse Powertrain and Scania to test a hybrid range-extender system for heavy-duty trucks. The pilot aims to address the challenge of operating electric vehicles efficiently without charging infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- The truck uses a battery-electric drivetrain with Horse Powertrain’s 2.0-liter multi-fuel engine as an onboard generator, not directly driving the wheels.
- This setup matches diesel performance while eliminating charging downtime for pure electric vehicles.
- Earlier trials saw similar vehicles travel nearly 22,000 kilometers operating over 90 percent of the time on pure electricity and achieving more than a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to diesel trucks.
The system combines battery-electric drivetrain technology with Horse Powertrain’s range-extender unit. Unlike traditional hybrid systems, where engines drive wheels directly, this engine functions solely as an onboard generator supplying electricity to the batteries when needed.
Operating on a 16-kilometer route daily, the truck completes seven to eight rounds without charging downtime – matching diesel performance in remote areas lacking reliable infrastructure for electric vehicles. The range-extender provides silent and efficient power generation under all conditions, including extreme temperatures or unexpected delays.
Horse Powertrain’s modular architecture adapts passenger vehicle technology to meet heavy-duty demands. Their engine operates across its full power band instead of fixed speeds, optimizing efficiency while minimizing fuel consumption, noise, and vibration. This approach offers significant environmental benefits by reducing CO₂ emissions compared to diesel trucks.
Real-world data from the Swedish pilot will inform future deployments in forestry and other applications facing infrastructure constraints for electrification efforts. The technology’s success could pave the way for broader adoption across industries seeking sustainable solutions without compromising productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Horse Powertrain’s range-extender system work?
The range extender functions as an onboard generator, supplying electricity to the battery packs when needed rather than directly driving the wheels.
What are some benefits of this technology over traditional hybrid systems?
This setup eliminates charging downtime for electric vehicles in remote areas and offers silent operation while optimizing efficiency under all conditions, including extreme temperatures or unexpected delays.
The collaboration between Horse Powertrain, Scania, and SCA showcases how innovative technologies can bridge gaps in electrification efforts across challenging sectors like forestry logistics. As real-world data emerges from the Swedish pilot, it could influence broader adoption of sustainable solutions for heavy-duty applications worldwide.
