Scania has demonstrated bi-directional vehicle-to-grid power transfer for heavy commercial vehicles using the Megawatt Charging System, with the test setup reaching 1,000 amperes and 750 kW. The Södertälje-based truckmaker says the demonstration is one of the first known V2G implementations using MCS for heavy-duty trucks. Scania disclosed the work alongside its battery electric transport solutions portfolio, which the new capability is intended to extend into stationary grid services. The system enables real-time communication between the truck, the charger, and energy management systems so that charging and discharging can be dynamically controlled based on transport schedules and grid conditions.
Highlights
- Demonstration reached up to 1,000 A and 750 kW through MCS hardware
- Bi-directional charge and discharge runs through a single charging interface (EVSE)
- Backend energy management controls the system in real time across vehicle, charger, and grid
- Targeted at depot operations where vehicles sit parked for extended periods
How the System Works
The demonstration combines megawatt-class charging with bi-directional power flow through the same connector. Scania reports that the truck, the charger, and the energy management backend communicate in real time, allowing the platform to switch between charging and discharging based on transport requirements and conditions on the local grid. The setup supports integration with external charging and energy management systems, which is the mechanism by which fleet operators would participate in grid services.
MCS is the emerging international standard for charging heavy-duty electric trucks at power levels above one megawatt. Scania’s prior implementation of the system, introduced last year, delivered the same 1,000 A and 750 kW output for one-way charging. The V2G demonstration extends that platform with power flow in the reverse direction.
What V2G Adds for Fleet Operators
Tobias Ejderhamn, Global Manager, Transformation & New Business at Scania, framed the shift as a change in role for fleet operators. “Electric trucks will not only consume electricity, they can also become an active resource in the energy system. This shift transforms the fleet operator’s role from solely providing transport services to also offering energy flexibility.”
According to Scania, fleet operators using the technology could reduce energy costs, support grid stability, optimize depot energy usage, improve utilization of on-site renewable generation, and participate in future energy flexibility and balancing markets. Charge point operators and energy providers could also benefit through improved utilization of charging hardware and local grid capacity.
Ejderhamn added that the combination of high-power charging with intelligent energy management could strengthen the underlying business case for battery-electric trucks by giving operators new ways to optimize energy use and lower operational costs.
TRATON Frames the Technical Significance
Yorben Muller, Product Manager Charging at TRATON, said the integration of bi-directional flow with megawatt charging is the technical differentiator. “What makes this significant is not only the bi-directional energy flow itself, but the ability to combine megawatt charging with intelligent energy management. To our knowledge, this is one of the world’s first demonstrations of vehicle-to-grid functionality using MCS for heavy commercial vehicles. The truck, charger and energy system can communicate with each other in real time, creating the foundation for heavy electric vehicles to become active and controllable assets in the energy system.”
Where the Technology Fits First
Scania expects the technology to be most relevant initially in depot charging environments, where trucks park for extended periods and charging schedules can be coordinated with energy demand and grid conditions. That deployment profile matches the pattern of other commercial V2G programs that have moved into pilot operation, including bus depots and fleet sites in Europe and North America.
The Scania demonstration supports bi-directional charging and discharging through MCS, advanced real-time communication between vehicle, charger, and energy management systems, backend-controlled energy management, and integration with external charging and energy management platforms. The setup is designed to support future flexibility services such as peak shaving and frequency balancing.
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