Scania Claims Megawatt Charging for BEV Trucks

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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10th May 2023

Truck maker Scania claims it is on track to deliver megawatt charging for heavy-duty BEVs to match current driver stop and refuel times of ICE powered trucks.

Among the biggest challenges of running a commercial trucking fleet are where both driving time and resting time are regulated by law. In many European Union countries, the vehicle can be driven for a maximum of 4.5 hours before the driver needs to take a 45-minute break. During this time the truck needs to charge with enough power to operate for another 4.5 hours so, owing to the size of the batteries, both fast and high-power charging is essential.

Now Scania says it has successfully installed and tested a pilot megawatt charging system (MCS) from ABB E-mobility, claiming the technology will enable half the charging time for heavy duty vehicles. The initial testing, to prove the technical viability of high current charging, is a first important step. This will result in the progressive deployment of high-power chargers, starting from 1,500 Ampere (A) and eventually extending to the full MCS scope of up to 3,000A. This is a charging standard that both companies have invested in and have been instrumental in developing in collaboration with CharIN, the MCS standard expected to be met in 2024.

Fredrik Allard, head of e-mobility at Scania, said: “We see a momentum for electric transport and our goal is that 50% of all vehicles we sell annually by 2030 are electric. To achieve this goal will require infrastructure and MCS is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the infrastructure going forward.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_