Scania and DHL Group have collaborated to develop an electric truck equipped with a fuel-powered generator, enabling a transition to battery-electric road transport without relying on a fully established charging network. While fully electric vehicles remain the ultimate goal for a sustainable transport system, the shift must accelerate immediately. However, challenges such as insufficient charging infrastructure, high costs of maintaining charging capacity during seasonal peaks, grid strain, and fluctuating electricity prices—especially during calm winter days—pose significant barriers. This is where Scania and DHL’s Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) comes in. The EREV helps address these challenges while allowing DHL to operate 80–90% on renewable electricity.
Fuel-powered generator replaces one of the battery packs
The new e-truck will be introduced by the Post & Parcel Germany division in February for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg, allowing its performance to be tested in real-world operations before expanding to DHL’s fleet. The fuel-powered generator replaces one of the battery packs typically found in a fully electric truck—an element not required for most transport routes. While this reduces the battery-powered range, it provides backup energy for specific scenarios. The vehicle is expected to achieve a range of 650 to 800 kilometers, depending on test results, and can be refuelled at any conventional petrol station if necessary. By comparison, Scania’s latest 100% electric trucks, with an equivalent maximum weight, offer a range of 550 kilometers.
“Pragmatic solution for making logistics more sustainable”
DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer stated, “It will take time before renewable electricity, the grid, and charging infrastructure are sufficiently developed to fully support battery-electric trucks, particularly in a large-scale system like DHL’s German parcel network. Rather than waiting for that day, DHL and Scania are working together on a pragmatic solution to enhance sustainability in logistics and cut CO₂ emissions by more than 80%. This vehicle offers a practical and immediate way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport. Such reductions should be appropriately reflected in road toll pricing and the EU fleet emission scheme. We view this collaboration as a successful innovation project between two companies dedicated to combating climate change.”
The EREV has been developed by Scania Pilot Partner, exploring new technologies and solutions, in this case together with the strategic partner DHL. Range-extended electric vehicles offer a promising interim solution for significant CO₂e reductions, especially where infrastructure and other conditions for fully electric transport are lacking. EU and national policies should recognise and incentivise this concept through adequate recognition of the realistic emission intensity in and proportional road toll reductions.
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania, stated, “The future of transport is electric, but we must not let perfection stand in the way of progress. The vehicle developed in collaboration with DHL is an example of an interim solution that can accelerate the transition to decarbonized heavy transport while the industry moves toward full electrification. A successful climate transition requires policymakers to recognize the value of such solutions while simultaneously increasing investments in public infrastructure and other essential enablers.”
The EREV is a 10.5 meter long truck with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons, powered by a 230kW electric engine (295 kW peak). Energy is delivered by a 416 kWh battery and a 120 kW gasoline powered generator. With the aid of the onboard generator – initially powered by petrol and later by diesel fuel/HVO – the truck’s range extends up to 800 kilometers. EREVs can be equipped with a software limiting the usage of the fuel-powered generator, thereby allowing CO2 emissions to be reduced and limited to a specified level. Its maximum speed is 89 km/h, with a cargo capacity of approx. 1,000 parcels (volume of a swap body). The truck can also pull a trailer with an additional swap body. The vehicle is to be deployed for “main carriage” transport between the cities of Berlin and Hamburg.
 as an interim solution to support the transition to fully electric trucks while charging infrastructure is still being expanded. Equipped with a fuel-powered range extender, the vehicle enables greater operational flexibility and lower CO₂ emissions. Starting in February 2025, the Post & Parcel Germany division will deploy the EREV for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg.){kind=link}