PHILIPPINES

Electrifying heavy forest transport to reduce emissions

9 OCTOBER 2024

The Swedish project TREE – TRansition to Efficient Electrified forestry transport - where Scania, research institutes, haulage companies, and other partners have joined forces to speed up the electrification of heavy forest transport - is well underway.

The forestry industry transport constitutes 20 percent of heavy road transport in Sweden. Switching diesel trucks to electric trucks will significantly impact emissions. TREE addresses this challenge, making the transition as efficient as possible.

Saving on CO2 emissions

Anna Pernestål is a Senior Researcher at Skogsforsk: "We contribute to the electrification of 50 percent of all new trucks in the forestry industry by 2030." If that becomes a reality, 260,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved annually. "And simultaneously, we share what we learn with other industries to enable a true transition in the whole system."

The project will be using commercial vehicles to learn more at several demo sites throughout Sweden. "We must work together and develop business models, logistics and technology. Scania contributes with our expertise, and of course our electric trucks," says Ulf Ceder, Senior Research Manager. Scania has been driving the shift towards sustainable transport for a long time, and being involved in projects like TREE and collaborating with partners are a part of this change.

Skogforsk, the joint research institute for the forestry industry, coordinates the TREE project with the network organisation CLOSER at Lindholmen Science Park. It is part of REEL. The project involves an additional 20 partners, including forestry companies, logistics firms, haulage companies, charging companies, technology firms, and universities. It is co-funded by the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation (Fordonsstrategisk Forskning och Innovation FFI) programme through Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency, and participating partners.