Scania provides sustainability and flexibility in airport environments

Scania is putting an extensive array of products on show at this year’s inter airport Europe in Munich. As a result of its unique modular approach, Scania can showcase a range of products that cover all the needs and challenges faced by the aviation industry, not least in terms of increased demands to provide sustainable solutions.

“As the aviation industry grows, the demands for it to make active efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are also increasing,” says Henrik Eng, Product Director, Urban, Scania Trucks. This means that airports around the world all have a series of very similar challenges to address; challenges for which there are now economically-sustainable solutions.

Modern major airports are a world of their own, in which crowds of people and goods have to flow through logistical systems with as little environmental impact as possible, and with no glitches in the machinery.

“Operational certainty is a basic requirement, and another requirement is that all the equipment, including vehicles of various kinds, contribute to achieving sustainable operation, for example by reducing CO2 and other emissions,” says Henrik Eng. Scania is one of the few manufacturers that can offer sustainable solutions in all contexts, including rescue vehicles, passenger transport, fuel supply tankers or various types of maintenance vehicles.

Trade fair première for the P-series

Scania is still in the process of launching its new generation of trucks. This year’s inter airport trade fair will therefore be the first opportunity for the public to get acquainted with the new P-series. P-cabs are Scania’s lowest series of cabs (in terms of being mounted in a low position on the chassis), and are therefore the cabs that usually form the basis of airport-related, low vehicles, such as catering vehicles, fuel supply tankers and rescue vehicles.

A new aspect in this context is that a number of the P-cabs can be combined with Scania’s most powerful 13-litre engine for Euro 6 (DC13 155), which generates 500 hp. Combined with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, with a 4×4 or 6×6 configuration, this provides the capacity for both rapid rescue call-outs and off-road driving.

Scania’s unique hybrid

At inter airport Europe, Scania is also showing off its unique hybrid vehicle in the form of a Scania G 320, which can run on electric power electrically or by using renewable biofuels such as HVO. Thanks to hybridisation and the fact that the powerful combustion engine can run on biofuel, it is a versatile truck that can be used for a variety of tasks in environments in which emission-free and low-sound driving is important.

Stage V engine without EGR

Scania Engines has launched its entire programme for Stage V and presents a DC09 engine that meets the requirements of Stage V without EGR at inter airport. The robust construction and simplified maintenance ensure high availability, not least in conjunction with the support provided by Scania’s worldwide service network. All Scania workshops around the world can work with the industrial engines as well, due to the unique modular design.

Compared with previous Stage IV models, fuel consumption is reduced by 3 to 5 percent. And the reduction can amount to as much as 10% compared with older engines, even though in many cases these were not subject to any emission requirements at all. The engine also has a faster response, which makes it feel stronger. Regardless of the comparison that is made, the reduced consumption of course has a very positive impact on operating costs as well on the environmental footprint.

“Stage V engines offer everything from low consumption and low emissions to easy installation and high availability,” says Tommy Johnson, Scania Engines.

Flexible buses from Scania

Scania Bus focuses on its wide range of alternative to conventional diesels for buses. In its standard bus range, Scania has engines for biomethane or natural gas, bioethanol, biodiesel and HVO, as well as hybrid buses. The wide selection regarding engine and fuel options, as well as Scania’s unique range of tailor-made services, provide the perfect conditions for bus operations with a highly competitive cost base and an unusually low environmental impact.

The Scania Citywide LF bus will be on show at the trade fair, with a 12-metre model with a 320 hp gas engine and CNG tanks being displayed. The Scania Citywide LF is an unusually flexible solution that can be easily and cost-effectively adapted to the operating conditions and needs that are typical for airports.

In addition to the 12-metre model, the Scania Citywide LF is available as a 10.9-metre model and an 18-metre articulated bus. For example, in its airport configuration the bus can be provided with doors on both sides of the body to allow efficient getting on and off.

The Scania Citywide LF is available in a variety of configurations, and can be equipped with doors on both sides of the body to allow people to get on and off the bus efficiently.

As Scania’s programme of buses is based on Scania’s modular system, it shares many parts and solutions with other Scania products, so good servicing options and spare parts availability are ensured. The simplification of servicing also facilitates the training and availability of mechanics; those who know how to work with one Scania product can usually work with all Scania-related products, which is of course extremely cost-effective.

Customised solutions for everyone

“The fact that a single manufacturer can offer solutions for different uses in airport environments is unique,” explains Henrik Eng. “A partnership with Scania thus becomes even better as the areas and needs it has to cover increase. At the same time, the highest possible availability is guaranteed, and the knowledge that sustainability is the key to success is built into all aspects of Scania’s operations.”

The fact that Scania is essentially a Swedish manufacturer is of course significant in this context. Sweden is considered to be a leading country in terms of certification, and it is perhaps no surprise that ten of the fifteen environmentally-certified airports in Europe are Swedish.

“With buses, engines, services and all kinds of trucks in our portfolio, Scania is a partner that can take a broader and more long-term approach than other manufacturers,” says Henrik Eng. “But no matter what solutions are provided, Scania always – and I really mean always – puts sustainability and each customer’s overall operating economics at the forefront.”