Scania and DHL are working together in Europe to test an electric truck with a fuel-powered range extender.

The companies say the technology is an interim method to extend range while fully-electric trucks are scaled and more charging infrastructure built. DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany division is running the truck beginning this month between Berlin and Hamburg.

About 80-90% of the truck’s miles will be run on renewable electricity. The companies want regulators to accept it as an interim solution while electric truck range is improved and charging infrastructure more fully deployed.

Its range, with the fuel-based extension, is 650 to 800 kms and it can be fueled at diesel stations.

“It is going to take some time before renewable electricity, the grid and charging infrastructure are available and robust enough to rely fully on battery-electric trucks, especially for a large-scale system like the German parcel network of DHL,” said DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer.

“Instead of waiting for this day to come, DHL and Scania are collaborating on a pragmatic solution for making logistics more sustainable and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80%. This vehicle is a sensible, practical solution that can make an immediate contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport short-term. Such reductions should be proportionally reflected in the road toll pricing and EU fleet emission scheme. We see this collaboration as a successful innovation project of two companies committed to battle climate change.”

Added Christian Levin, CEO of Scania: “The future is electric, but perfect must not be the enemy of good as we are getting there. The vehicle we have developed together with DHL is an example of interim solutions that can enhance the scaling of decarbonised heavy transport before the transport system eventually becomes 100% electrified. An effective climate transition requires that policymakers accept such solutions, while ramping up their investments in public infrastructure and other enabling conditions.”