Scania is continuing to investigate zero-emissions technology after launching three new partnerships in the space
Heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania says it is working on three new Combient Foundry start-up projects to gain vital insights and accelerate its electrification of its vehicles.
Scania will combine with Spark EV Technology, Autofleet and ev.energy to further develop its knowledge and technology in the electric vehicle space.
Scania has long said it cannot achieve the shift towards sustainable transport by itself. The company values cross-industry partnerships, combining Scania’s expertise with others in the ecosystem to go further, faster.
One such example is its involvement in Combient Foundry, a Nordic-based venture client initiative that aims to connect business opportunities within large industrial companies with globally selected and fast-growing start-ups, for potential business collaboration.
“Combient Foundry can leverage the best innovation and drive in the global start-up scene, combined with the knowledge, resources and market reach of the multinational, large corporates,” Scania head of strategic venture collaboration Magnus Lundin says.
“Today, a lot of innovation reaches market through start-ups, whether it’s new technology or new business models. These start-ups, or scale-ups as they are called when growth is taking off, are often fuelled by venture capital and scaling in collaboration with strategic partners and customers.”
Scania is now working on three such projects for preparing trucking companies and fleet owners for the transition to electrification.
The projects, chosen from a rigorous selection process during 2021, are partly funded by Vinnova.
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The first partnership with Spark EV Technology will delve into energy and range prediction models in a bid to alleviate range anxiety.
Its project with Israeli company Autofleet will help asset-heavy fleets involved in delivery and logistics to optimise the use of its vehicles by efficient route planning and charging.
The third project with ev.energy will look into smart charging services and build on these partnerships with OEMs, charger manufacturers and energy utilities.
“We’re delighted to be supporting Scania and their customers with the transition to electrification,” ev.energy head of grid and data services William Goldsmith says.
“Applying our established expertise in domestic EV charging to commercial fleets is an exciting opportunity.”