Scania, SKF, and LOTS Group, in partnership with Ahréns Åkeri, have launched one of Europe’s longest routes for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This initiative represents a milestone in sustainable logistics, aiming to achieve a 97% reduction in carbon emissions while optimizing transport efficiency through high-capacity utilization and advanced route management.
Key Highlights
- Route Scope: The BEV route spans 221,000 km annually, cutting CO₂ emissions by 298 tonnes, equivalent to the yearly emissions of 210 passenger cars in Sweden.
- Efficiency Goals: The project targets 85% utilization with full loads over the vehicle’s yearly mileage, demonstrating the feasibility of electrifying long-haul freight.
- Phased Implementation: Full-scale operations are set for mid-2025, following initial validations in early 2025.
- Economic and Environmental Impact: Partners aim to prove that green technology adoption can be both sustainable and cost-effective through stable volumes and long-term contracts.
- Collaborative Innovation: The partnership integrates Scania’s control tower and LOTS Group’s digital tools to optimize logistics services, including route optimization and charging management.
A Partnership to Drive Sustainability
Johan Palmqvist, Managing Director Europe for LOTS Group, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable logistics. “Through partnerships between transport buyers, carriers, and charging providers, we maximize utilization and reduce emissions, setting a benchmark for logistics in Europe,” he stated.
Similarly, Måns Isacsson, Logistics Manager for SKF Sverige, highlighted the energy-efficient benefits, stating, “This collaboration ensures environmentally friendly transports to our customers, supporting our ambition for net zero climate impact across the value chain.”
Innovative Approach to Green Logistics
The project incorporates recurring loops with guaranteed volumes to mitigate financial risks and optimize vehicle utilization. By balancing charging strategies and full-capacity operations in both directions, the partnership maximizes both environmental and operational efficiencies.
Hampus Ahrén, Operations Manager at Ahréns Åkeri, reinforced this dual advantage, noting that “stable volumes and optimized charging enable investments in green technology, making this partnership both sustainable and economically advantageous.”
Redefining Long-Haul Electrification
Gustaf Sundell, Head of Scania Ventures and New Business, underscored the broader implications of this initiative: “This collaboration demonstrates that freight transport with BEVs is feasible for long-distance and heavy loads, aligning with Scania’s purpose of driving the shift toward sustainable transport.”
With digital tools from LOTS Group and expertise from Scania, the partnership provides a model for scalable, efficient, and environmentally conscious logistics solutions. The initiative highlights the transformative potential of electric vehicles in addressing the challenges of long-haul and heavy transport across Europe.
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