Green light for ethanol trucks
During the last year, Scania has performed market acceptance tests on heavy trucks with ethanol engines. Two companies were involved, Schenker and Ragn-Sells which truck drivers reported positive results.
Photo: Carl-Erik Andersson
“Considering the climate situation, we must use all environmental alternatives,” says Rolf Mäkinen, Ragn-Sells.
TEXT: SARA BERGQVIST
In close collaboration with Scania, the Schenker freight-forwarding company tested an 18 tonnes distribution truck with a 270 hp ethanol engine in central Stockholm for a year.
“Everything worked beyond expectations,” explains Rustan Eliasson, vehicle manager at Schenker. “Our truck drivers have found the truck very good and have noticed no difference in efficiency and torque.”
Less odours with ethanol engines
Truck drivers also said they were very pleased that ethanol is more odour-free than diesel fuel. “Of course that is also an advantage for pedestrians and cyclists,” Eliasson points out.
The resource and waste management company Ragn-Sells tested Scania’s new ethanol engine on a refuse truck.
“So far, everything has worked very smoothly,” says Rolf Mäkinen, field test project manager at Ragn-Sells. “We think it’s important to show politicians that there are a number of alternative fuels. Considering the climate-change situation, we must use all available environmental alternatives.”
Better environment for the truck driver
Aside from its ethanol engine, the new refuse test truck has a number of other innovative features, such as an ergonomically designed low-entry cab that makes it easier to climb in and out of the truck many times a day.
“We are testing this type of cab in other locations in cooperation with Scania, and our truck drivers are pleased,” Mäkinen says.
Ethanol as fuel
Since ethanol has lower energy content than diesel, the number of litres consumed is larger. The net carbon dioxide emissions depend on how the ethanol fuel is produced. Ethanol made from sugar cane, for example, reduces net carbon dioxide emissions far more than ethanol made from maize.
The third generation
Scania’s new ethanol engine is the third generation of its kind and the first made for trucks. It operates according to the diesel principle, which requires up to 25 percent less fuel consumption than an equivalent spark plug engine. Compared with the previous ethanol engine, output has increased from 230 to 270 hp and torque from 1050 to 1200 nm. The number of cylinders has been reduced from six to five.
