Scania hides more batteries behind the cab and reaches 720 km
Scania stretches its electric truck range to 720 km by moving extra batteries behind the cab, while MCS charging becomes the next big question.
Scania has just moved the goalposts for long-haul electric trucks: its new battery-electric tractor is claimed to cover up to 720 km without recharging. For comparison, the brand's global electric-truck page currently lists a maximum of 560 km. That is a hefty gain of up to 160 km, or almost 29%. But the most interesting part is not the number itself. To make that leap, Scania put extra batteries where few would expect them — directly behind the cab.
In the standard configuration, two MP20 packs are installed there with a combined installed capacity of about 356 kWh. They work together with batteries under the cab and on the chassis. There is an important catch, though: Scania has not disclosed the total capacity of the full 720-km system. Simply adding those 356 kWh to the specifications of older versions would therefore be misleading.
Why build a wall of batteries behind the cab at all? The answer is practical: Scania wants the tractor to work in real European logistics, not just chase a headline number. The 6x2*4 version remains compatible with standard semi-trailers even when the overall combination exceeds 16.5 metres. The new IVD front end also targets efficiency, with Scania claiming up to a 3% reduction in energy consumption depending on configuration and operating conditions.
But 720 km is only half of the equation. The other half is charging. The new configuration is designed for the MCS system, yet Scania has not stated the exact charging power or replenishment time for this 720-km tractor. That leaves the biggest question for long-distance operation unanswered: how much time will the truck actually spend at a charging station?
And Scania cannot relax. The previous MAN eTGX was specified with up to 570 km of range, while the new 6x2 version presented for IAA Transportation now promises the same 720 km. Two manufacturers have effectively attacked the same psychological threshold at almost the same time. The headline number matches, but the engineering routes are different.
Mercedes-Benz is taking another path. The eActros 600 Lowliner with three battery packs is rated for roughly 500 km without intermediate charging, while MCS megawatt charging support for the Lowliner is due to be added later. Against that backdrop, Scania's solution stands out for combining three things: up to 720 km of range, compatibility with a standard semi-trailer and the ability to tailor battery capacity to a specific route. The electric long-haul race is no longer about whether the trip is possible, but about who can make it feel least compromised.