Scania and FMV Push Powertrain Boundaries with First Co-Developed Hybrid

Again Eurosatory in Paris, where the first handover of three Scania hybrid trucks to FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) took place as part of a joint development project, with the aim of testing and further developing the technology.
 
The hybrid trucks will be used to better understand the opportunities that electrified powertrains can bring to military applications. These include fuel-efficient operation, the possibility of silent movement using electric propulsion, and the ability to use the vehicle’s battery and generator to supply power to external equipment, such as command posts, sensor equipment or temporary camps.

Scania Plug-In Parallel Hybrid Truck

Scania’s hybrid solution is a plug-in parallel hybrid, where the combustion engine and electric motor can power the vehicle either separately or together. The electric motor contributes instant torque, strong manoeuvrability at low speeds and the possibility of silent movement for limited periods. The electric range is approximately 70 to 80 kilometres, depending on use, load and conditions.
 
The vehicle can also be used as a mobile energy platform. This means it can supply electricity to external equipment even when the vehicle is stationary, something that is becoming increasingly important in modern defence operations where command, sensors, communications and other equipment require reliable power supply close to the operational area.
 
Today, diesel generators are often used to supply power to external equipment. The difference with a battery solution is that power can be supplied completely silently, creating new opportunities in environments where acoustic signature and detection risk need to be reduced.
 
The battery capacity of the current solution is 208 kWh. At around 75 percent state of charge, this corresponds to approximately 156 kWh of available energy. The vehicle can provide around four hours of continuous AC power supply, and the battery can be charged from 0 to 100 percent using the combustion engine in approximately 45 to 60 minutes at idle.
 
“The defence sector is facing changing requirements, where power supply, mobility and flexibility are becoming increasingly important. Through this cooperation with FMV, we can develop and evaluate hybrid technology under real conditions, while also demonstrating how Scania’s industrial capability can contribute to future defence solutions,” says Stefano Fedel, Head of Scania Commercial.
 
Scania is now exploring how the production of hybrid trucks for defence applications can be industrialised, with the aim of making the solution part of the company’s modular system. This would enable the technology to be adapted to different vehicle configurations, missions and defence customer requirements.
 
“We see clear potential for hybrid solutions in heavy military vehicles. It is about combining robustness and mobility with new opportunities for power supply and quieter operation. For Scania, this is an important step in the development of future defence solutions,” says Fedel.

The project strengthens the collaboration between FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces and Scania around the heavy wheeled vehicles of the future. For FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces, the vehicles provide an opportunity to test the technology operationally. For Scania, the project provides valuable knowledge in the work to develop hybrid solutions that can be scaled up and adapted to the requirements of the defence sector.

Key Takeaways

• Electric range: Approximately 70 to 80 kilometres, depending on use, load and conditions.
• Battery capacity: 208 kWh. At around 75 percent state of charge, this corresponds to approximately 156 kWh of available energy.
• Continuous AC power supply: Approximately four hours of continuous AC power supply, depending on power output and usage profile.
• Power and torque: The electric part of the powertrain provides up to 290 kW for shorter periods and maximum torque of 2,800 Nm. Nominal electric power is approximately 200 kW.
• Power outlets and voltage levels: The vehicle supplies both 400 V and 230 V AC via outlets on the vehicle. There are no outlets for supplying DC power to external equipment.
• PTO and power take-off: The power take-off can be used during charging, when stationary, during manoeuvring and while driving. It enables up to 60 kW of electric power in the current solution and up to 220 kW of mechanical power.