Södra trials its new electric truck in a push for fossil-free forestry logistics

 Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy involves changes in all sectors, including forestry. In Southern Sweden, Södra addresses emissions from heavy transport logistics. The company has taken a tangible step towards its climate goals by deploying its first electric wood chip truck into regular, demanding operations. This move is part of a deliberate, long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality and gather essential, real-world data on the feasibility of electrifying heavy-duty forestry vehicles.

The vehicle chosen for this crucial two-year evaluation period is a Scania 45R, a powerful electric heavy truck capable of handling imposing payloads. Operating on regular routes between forest landings and Södra’s industrial facilities across the regions of Blekinge and eastern Småland, the truck is tasked with transporting wood chips—a critical component in the production of pulp, paper, and biofuel.

The electric truck’s specifications are robust, demonstrating the increasing viability of electric technology in heavy logistics:

• Load capacity: Capable of handling loads of up to 70 tonnes, matching the requirements of conventional diesel chip trucks.
• Range: The vehicle boasts an expected range of 250–300 kilometers per charge, which, according to Södra’s early assessments, provides a comfortable margin for transports within its primary operational area.
• Battery and charging: Equipped with a substantial 624 kWh battery capacity, the truck is charged using fossil-free electricity generated from Södra’s own production. This closes the loop on sustainable operations, ensuring that the energy source is as clean as the vehicle itself. Charging time is estimated at roughly one hour during normal operational stops, fitting efficiently into the driver’s workflow.

To ensure efficient operation and prepare for future fleet expansion, Södra has strategically expanded its charging infrastructure. New, high-capacity charging points have been installed at key facilities in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors, and Långasjö. This investment is crucial, as the availability of charging infrastructure is often the primary bottleneck for wide-scale adoption of heavy electric transport. Henrik Rosenlund, Transport Manager for Haulage at Södra, confirmed that the initial experiences have been highly encouraging, surpassing pre-trial expectations.

The human element of the trial has yielded valuable insights. The transition for drivers, who are used to the noise and mechanics of traditional diesel engines, has been remarkably positive.

• Handling and stability: Drivers have particularly highlighted the low center of gravity of the Scania 45R. This is largely due to the strategic placement of the heavy battery packs beneath the frame, which results in notably good road holding and improved stability—a significant safety and operational advantage when navigating variable forest and highway conditions with heavy loads.
• Performance: Initial reports indicate that the truck’s range has often been better than expected under favorable conditions. While longer journeys still necessitate detailed planning, a dedicated Scania app is used to monitor the range in real-time, and the manufacturer’s support system has proven effective even on extended routes.
• Acceptance: The internal resistance to the electric vehicle was minimal. “There is great interest, and no one has expressed negative opinions – on the contrary, the resistance to the electric car chip has been less than expected,” said Rosenlund. This positive reception from the people who operate the equipment daily is a key indicator of the technology’s readiness for broader adoption.

While the benefits are clear, the trial is designed to expose and address the practical challenges inherent in electrifying heavy transport logistics.

The main challenge, as anticipated, revolves around charging logistics. “Charging requires some planning, especially on longer journeys or when there are no chargers at the destination,” Rosenlund noted.

To mitigate range anxiety and ensure continuity of operations, Södra’s drivers have already developed operational solutions:

1. Pre-trip Planning: Fully charging the truck before departure on long routes.
2. Support System Use: Relying heavily on the built-in support system to accurately calculate margins and necessary charging stops.

While the concern about getting back on long journeys still exists, the initial success confirms that proactive planning and reliance on digital support systems can effectively manage the limitations of current battery technology. The next immediate step is to document a “typical work day” in detail and collect systematic feedback to disseminate these valuable experiences throughout the organisation and the wider forestry sector.

Södra’s investment in the electric wood chip truck is far more than a corporate pilot program; it is a foundational component of a long-term strategy for industrial transformation. The goal is not just to replace one diesel truck, but to gather the essential operational experience needed for the eventual electrification of the entire heavy vehicle fleet used for transporting logs, chips, and biomass.

“With the electric wood chip truck, we are taking an important step towards fossil-free transport in the forest industry. By testing the technology in our operations, we are gathering important experience that will help us and the entire industry move forward,” concluded Rosenlund.

Södra is serving as a vital testbed by implementing this cutting-edge technology on actual routes in Southern Sweden, supplying data that will educate infrastructure planners, technology developers, and other forestry and logistics firms worldwide. The timber industry’s vital contribution to the global effort to fight climate change through innovation in green logistics is reinforced by this resolute step, which also underlines Södra’s leading role in promoting sustainable practices.

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Tags: biofuel production, climate neutrality, Electric Wood Chip Truck, Fossil-Free Forestry, Heavy Electric Vehicles, Scania 45R, sustainable transport, Swedish forestry