In 2024, Södra decided to invest in an electric, heavy-duty truck to be integrated into the company's logistics chain. The vehicle is now being put into operation within the production activities, and its use will be evaluated under real conditions over two years. This initiative will reduce the environmental footprint of wood chip transports and represents an important step on Södra's path towards climate neutrality.

The decision to invest in an electric heavy-duty truck is part of Södra's long-term strategy to transition to fossil-free transport and gather experience for future electrification of the vehicle fleet. The electric wood chip truck, delivered by Scania, will be charged with self-produced fossil-free electricity and used for wood chip transports in Blekinge and eastern Småland. Södra is now initiating an evaluation period that will extend until 2027, with a planned driving distance of approximately 400 kilometers per day. The evaluation will analyze the vehicle's performance, identify areas for improvement, and facilitate planning for a more large-scale electrification of Södra's vehicle fleet.

"With the electric wood chip truck, we are taking an important step towards fossil-free transport in the forestry industry. We have already invested in expanding the charging infrastructure to meet the needs of heavier transport. By now testing the technology in our daily operations, we are gathering valuable experiences that can contribute to a more sustainable future, both for Södra and for society at large," says Henrik Brodin, project owner for large-scale electrification at Södra.

Part of the TREE Project

The electric wood chip truck and the associated evaluation are part of the TREE collaboration project, coordinated by Skogforsk, the forestry industry's joint research institute. The project's goal is to ensure that 50 percent of all new trucks in the forestry sector are electrified by 2030. Together with an additional 22 partners, including other forestry companies, haulers, technology companies, and research actors, Södra contributes knowledge that can create value for the entire industry.

High Capacity and Efficient Charging

The electric wood chip truck is a Scania 45R with a load capacity of up to 64 tons and a range of 250-300 kilometers per charge. The truck is equipped with three integrated electric motors generating 610 hp and has a battery capacity of 624 kWh, making it well-suited for regional transport. Charging is done with a power of up to 375 kW, enabling a charging time of about one hour for normal operation.

The electric wood chip truck will be deployed on regular routes and will be a natural part of Södra's truck fleet. As part of the evaluation, route optimization and the vehicle's performance will be carefully analyzed. The results from the project will then form the basis for planning a large-scale electrification of Södra's vehicle fleet.

Over the past year, Södra has carried out an extensive expansion of the charging infrastructure at the facilities in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors, and Långasjö. This is a preparatory measure to handle the charging of electric, heavy-duty trucks as part of regular operations. The Swedish Energy Agency has granted a subsidy of 5.2 million SEK for the charging stations.

Södra's Path to Climate Neutrality

The electric wood chip truck is just one of Södra's initiatives to promote fossil-free transport. At the end of 2024, the company's first electric truck was introduced as part of another pilot project, this time for transporting pulp from Värö to port terminals in Gothenburg and Varberg.

aims to be a leader in society's journey towards climate neutrality. In this ambition, climate benefits should increase along the entire value chain - from family forestry to the products created. To achieve the climate goal, Södra is working to identify potential improvements in operations and sees great opportunities in the electrification of work machines and transports.