Sveaskog and Scania trial fossil-free forestry in Sweden

 Thursday, December 18, 2025

In the remote, frost-bound landscapes of Norrland, a silent revolution is underway. Sveaskog, Sweden’s state-owned forest giant, has formally deployed its first fully electric roundwood truck into active service. This move is not merely a technical test but a high-stakes stress test of electric vehicle (EV) viability in some of the most unforgiving operational environments on the planet. As part of the nationwide TREE project (Transition to Efficient, Electrified Forestry Transport), this initiative aims to solve the “triple threat” of heavy-duty transport: extreme sub-zero temperatures, vast distances, and a near-total absence of fixed charging infrastructure.

Since November 2025, the new Scania-developed electric timber hauler has been operated by Eklunds Åkeri. The truck’s route spans the rugged borderlands of southern Norrbotten and northern Västerbotten.

Unlike the relatively temperate southern regions of Sweden, this northern corridor presents unique barriers to electrification:

Battery Performance: Sub-zero temperatures can drastically reduce battery efficiency and charging speeds.

Range Anxiety: Timber transport often involves deep-forest logistics where the nearest power grid is miles away.

Load Weight: Roundwood is exceptionally heavy, requiring massive torque and energy expenditure.

“The transition to electrification requires finding new ways and seeing different solutions,” says Anna Ahlin, Technology Specialist at Sveaskog. “It will be extra interesting to follow this truck under more complex conditions to see how electrification can contribute to a fossil-free chain.”

MESS: The mobile solution to infrastructure gaps

To counter the “charging desert” of the north, the project has introduced a groundbreaking piece of technology: the Mobile Energy Storage System (MESS).

Strategically positioned along the truck’s route, the MESS serves as a mobile “oasis,” providing essential support charges between long-distance hauls. This unit is built into a weatherproof shell that can be relocated via a demountable truck to wherever the current logging operation is centered.

MESS technical breakdown

Ulf Erickson, Senior Business Development Manager for E-Mobility at Scania, emphasizes that such innovation is the only way forward: “MESS is currently a crucial enabler that makes it possible to get through the toughest conditions.”

The TREE Project Roadmap

This trial is a cornerstone of the TREE project, a massive collaborative effort involving 23 key industry players, including vehicle manufacturers, research institutions, and logistics firms. The project is funded by Vinnova via the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation (FFI) program.

The Ultimate Goal: To ensure that 50% of all new trucks purchased by the Swedish forestry industry are-electrified by 2030.

The forestry industry is one of Sweden’s largest transport buyers, accounting for roughly 20% of all heavy road transport in the country. By decarbonizing this specific sector, Sweden can achieve a massive reduction in its national CO2 footprint.

The push for electric trucks isn’t just driven by internal sustainability targets; it is also being fueled by market demand. Customers worldwide are increasingly demanding that the entire supply chain—from the forest floor to the final timber product—be fossil-free.

Henrik Engman, Customer Manager at Sveaskog, notes that timber transport and forestry machinery are the two largest sources of emissions in the value chain. “The fact that we now have the opportunity to start offering fossil-free transport is an important step in achieving that goal,” Engman says.

Fast facts: The TREE system demonstrator

• Total Partners: 23 (including Scania, Sveaskog, and Skogforsk).
• Focus: Testing electric timber trucks, HCT (High Capacity Transport) vehicles, and mobile hubs.
• Timeline: Ongoing trials through 2026 to establish an industry-wide roadmap.
• Climate Impact: Electrifying 50% of the fleet could reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 260,000 tons per year.

As the winter of 2025/2026 tests the limits of Scania’s battery technology, the data gathered in Norrland will provide the blueprint for heavy-duty electrification globally. If a 70-ton truck can haul timber through a Swedish blizzard using a mobile biodiesel-powered charger, the argument against electric heavy transport begins to melt away. Sveaskog’s commitment proves that even the most “complex conditions” can be conquered with a mix of innovative engineering and strategic partnerships.

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Tags: Electrified forestry transport, fossil-free forestry Sweden, mobile energy storage system, Scania electric roundwood truck, sustainable timber logistics, Sveaskog TREE project