Scania is introducing Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) trucks that can be fitted with different power­train and charging options, thus offering solutions that can fulfil various demands for applications. A new electric machine, GE281, works in tandem with a Scania seven or nine-litre combus­tion engine, providing unique opportunities for creating fossil-free transport solutions for heavy trucks with demanding bodywork.

Scania P 320 PHEV 4×2 general cargo transport

Scania’s new hybrid powertrain has been developed in-house according to the company’s modular philosophy.  By coupling two electric motors with each other and merging them with essential parts of Scania’s latest (2020) Opticruise gearbox generation, something truly new was created: GE281, a Gearbox Electric machine with seamless power trans­mission and capacity for dealing with gross vehicle weights of up to 36 tonnes without support from the combustion engine.  But it also works the other way: since the electric machine is always supporting the combustion engine at take-off and acceleration, the combustion engine can be downsized in both volume and power output. Hybridisation means fuel savings of up to 40% in city areas compared with traditional powertrains.

The latest hybrid truck generation from Scania can be ordered as HEVs and as PHEVs, available in P, G and L series cabs. The trucks can be specified as rigids and as tractors. The 7-litre DC07 combustion engine is available in three power outputs, as is the 9-litre DC09 engine. All Scania Euro 6 engines can run on hydrotreated vege­table oil (HVO), and some can also run on biodiesel FAME (see chart below). 

Scania’s GE281 offers 230 kW continuously and 290 kW as peak power output, while the max torque is 2,100 Nm. It has six forward gears but no traditional clutch, since a planetary gear takes care of that process, providing torque interruption-free gear shifts. This solution also provides for excellent creep drive capabilities at low speeds and the PTO can be engaged while the truck is moving, in electric as well as combustion engine mode.

Scania Hybrid truck

About the Author: John Loughran