Scania’s new hybrid powertrain has been developed in-house according to the company’s modular philosophy. By coupling two electric motors with each other and merging them with essential parts of Scania’s latest (2020) Opticruise gearbox generation, something new was created: GE281, a gearbox electric machine with seamless power transmission and capacity for dealing with gross vehicle weights of up to 36 tonnes without support from the combustion engine. But it also works the other way: since the electric machine is always supporting the combustion engine at take-off and acceleration, the combustion engine can be downsized in both volume and power output. Hybridisation means fuel savings of up to 40% in city areas compared with traditional powertrains.
“The GE281 is something brand new in the heavy truck industry,” says Fredrik Allard, senior vice president and head of e-mobility at Scania Sales & Marketing. “With this fourth generation of hybrid trucks from Scania, we have reached a point where hybrids are strong candidates for a variety of applications and operations where sustainability and smart solutions are the main priorities. These new hybrids have the capacity for taking on a multitude of tasks and will come out on top in all kinds of relevant comparisons.”
The latest hybrid truck generation from Scania can be ordered as HEVs and as PHEVs, available in P, G and L series cabs. The trucks can be specified as rigids and as tractors. The 7-litre DC07 combustion engine is available in three power outputs, as is the 9-litre DC09 engine. All Scania Euro VI engines can run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and some can also run on biodiesel FAME (see below).
Scania’s GE281 offers 230 kW (308bhp) continuously and 290 kW (389bhp) as peak power output, while the maximum torque is 2,100Nm. It has six forward gears but no traditional clutch, since a planetary gear takes care of that process, providing torque interruption-free gear shifts. This solution is also described as excellent for creep drive capabilities at low speeds and the PTO can be engaged while the truck is moving, in electric as well as combustion engine mode.
“The driving experience can actually be compared with what you get in a passenger car with a dual-clutch system,” says Allard. “And with this solution, we can offer all the support functions that Scania customers are accustomed to, such as adaptive cruise control with active prediction and downhill speed control. Another improvement with this solution is that the energy recuperation during deceleration is also uninterrupted, which is important since the electric machine is the primary brake source in these vehicles.”
The latest generation’s electric range is 60km. It also comes with different drive modes. When the “Power” mode is selected, some extra 100 hp (or 74 kW) is added on top of the combustion engine’s peak performance.
The PHEV has an installed battery capacity of 90 kWh (3 x 30 kWh batteries), while the HEV version has one 30 kWh battery. The PHEV can be fully charged in 35 minutes when using a 95 kW DC charger. That means the vehicle can be charged at depots and during breaks or loading sessions (known as 'opportunity charging'). A hybrid truck with a downsized engine – from DC09 to DC07 – will actually have a payload that is 250 kg higher compared to its ICE sibling; the hybrid will only add a net weight of 750 kg, while one tonne of extra weight is allowed for electric vehicles in the EU (and the UK).
The most substantial fuel saving is achieved in urban traffic, where some customers will save up to 40%. Scania also offers regular repair and maintenance contracts for these hybrid vehicles.
Major cities such as Paris and Amsterdam are implementing strict emission, noise and safety zones. This means that progressive haulers who want to stay relevant and competitive are turning their minds towards fossil-free and electric solutions that are available here and now.
Ema Ceco, product manager e-mobility, Scania Sales & Marketing, said: “The engines are equals from a power-output perspective. Using only the electric machine in sensitive urban areas does not mean you suffer from a loss of power. For instance, a Scania L 280 6x2*4 PHEV would make for a perfect city tipper in dense urban areas; fully capable of running in electric mode where zero emissions and noise levels below 72 dB are required.”