The Scania Group is pinning 2040 as the last year for the internal combustion engines (ICE) in its products. By 2040, Scania is saying goodbye to ICEs and hello to battery electric vehicles only, according to an interview with the President and CEO of Scania, Christian Levin, in an interview.
To reiterate, only battery electric vehicles will be launched by Scania by 2040. That also means that the brand is preparing new models with zero emissions, in an effort to gain an edge over the rest of the competition in the space.
The interview was conducted by Eurotransport.de, wherein Levin stated that the conditions must be optimal for Scania to meet its target deadline for ICE phase-out. Levin specifically stated that “charging infrastructure, green electricity, and the price per kilowatt-hour” must be optimal for a successful switch and phase-out.
“Together with its brands, the Traton Group will assume a leading role in sustainable transportation. This is why we have consistently aligned our planning for the next five years to focus on battery electric drives.
He adds, “[This is] clearly the greenest, fastest, and most affordable solution for our customers, even for long-haul transportation, although hydrogen may prove to be a useful addition in certain niches.”
With that statement, Traton is also open to the possibility of hydrogen-based transportation, which some companies have considered for countries and continents that lack the infrastructure of a fast charging network, or for companies that want to cut the downtimes between trips.
Scania wants to be an industry leader in the electric truck space. For now, Volvo appears to be in first place across Europe, but will Scania put up a fight and pressure the Swedish giant? That remains to be seen.
