"The indicator beeps even louder!" Christian Lang puts it in a nutshell. According to his experience as an e-truck driver, the advent of the Scania BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) marked a turning point in the health and happiness of the trucking industry. His work life has changed since he found peace, cleanliness, and power.
Every truck driver, in my opinion, should give electric trucks a shot. I didn't fully believe it at first because it seemed too good to be true. But after only a few minutes behind the wheel, I could tell that the electric truck was going to be a hit with the drivers. This car is so quiet and easy to drive that it can't be compared to the last one.
Energy and photovoltaic expert Ing. Johannes Hofer of Conversio GmbH is also pleased. After all, the BEV was his express dream vehicle. After detailed planning, it is now in actual operation - a milestone for his company, as he emphasized at the prominent on-site appointment at Scania's Villach partner Wiegele Trucks.
We are specialists in alternative energy sources. We insist on nothing but the highest quality when purchasing any product—and for us, that means Scania trucks. "The Scania opportunity was perfect for us, so there was no doubt that we would go with them," says the head of a company with 300 employees.
The 8,150-kilogram payload Scania electric truck makes daily trips between the Burgenland, Vienna, and Styria offices of Conversio. That's around 120 km each way. The electric truck quickly covers this distance with its range of 250 km. The BEV can be easily charged with your own electricity at any Conversio location, thanks to the presence of large photovoltaic systems and quick e-charging stations. A full charge of all nine battery packs takes only 45 minutes, thanks to the 130 kW charging system.
The box body equipped with a tail lift will be used primarily for transporting photovoltaic modules and components. The thin photovoltaic modules installed on the roof of the boxy main structure at Conversio are intended to be the showpiece. This means that electricity can also be produced while driving.
Electric trucks are becoming increasingly popular, and the public sector is keen to learn more about their efficient and economical deployment. That's why Villach Mayor Günther Albel and his fleet experts made sure to be present at the handover of the fully assembled and wrapped electric truck.
After all, the city of Villach's over 63,000 residents needs to be cared for, which means keeping the streets clean and collecting trash. The future is bright for the electric truck. "As a city, we are facing the major challenge of converting 40 percent of our vehicle fleet by 2025. The mayor, who, incidentally, anticipates significant changes in mobility, emphasizes, "It was essential for my employees and me to see what the model looks like, how it works, and what the price-performance ratio is."
The Villach group examined the Scania 25 P BEV from Conversio and even got to try it out for themselves. Unexpectedly, there are financial arguments in favor of an electric truck in addition to environmental ones. The recent spike in fuel prices makes the Leisetreter's battery-electric drive even more appealing. Reinhard Jaut, head of central purchasing at Conversio, confirms that operating an e-truck is significantly less expensive than driving a diesel truck. The fuel price, the fact that lorries pay a lower toll, and the ability to charge vehicles with one's own electricity supply all impact the mix.
Scania dealer Wiegele Trucks in Austria has achieved a significant milestone by delivering the country's first electric Scania truck. Ing. Hannes Wiegele, CEO of Wiegele Trucks, finds e-mobility in the transportation industry to be an "exciting story," He is pleased with the new e-charging station that Conversio installed.
To begin with, e-trucks are being used primarily for local hauls, but this is quickly changing. We are already anticipating further technological leaps soon, which will lead to even more range and flexibility in the driving profiles, "says Wiegele, describing the scenarios.
Christian Lang's future is now, and he's just a driver. He's relieved that he applied for the "E-truck driver at Conversio" position and was chosen among the 20 candidates. After only a few kilometers in the Scania BEV, he says, "I'm relaxed now."
Other drivers will soon be able to take advantage of Conversio's laid-back working environment. Ing. Hofer, the head of Conversio, says preparations are underway for a second Scania electric truck. He adds that simultaneous charging of up to four e-trucks at the Conversio stations is possible with up to 150 kW of power.
