30 JUNE 2026
The EMS Transport & Logistik office in Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden, has a perfect view of the E4 motorway and the trucks passing by. Many carry the EMS logo.
Since the company was founded by Erik Mauritz Sundqvist in 1934, the business has grown from one single truck to around thirty, now also taking on biogas. But the core remains: getting goods where they need to be, efficiently and on time.
Per-Håkan Sundqvist is one of four brothers who grew up in the business and who, despite being nearly eighty, is at work by eight o’clock every morning in the yellow building where nostalgia shares space with neatly labelled binders on shelves and walls. The trucks not only go past but also visit the company’s wash bay right next door, where vehicles regularly roll in for a refresh. In one corner of the garage stands Per-Håkan’s favourite – a Scania-Vabis, brought out for special occasions. “Who knows – perhaps one day it will end up in Scania’s Museum.”
Per-Håkan Sundqvist's restored Scania-Vabis is a reminder of the company's long history.
EMS transports chilled and frozen goods as well as general cargo across Sweden. Routes stretch from Malmö in the south to Luleå in the north. Each day, four to six trucks travel in each direction.
The operation is based on a system that Per-Håkan’s son Håkan describes as relay driving. “The trucks heading south meet those travelling north. Drivers swap along the route, which means they can sleep at home while the vehicles keep moving almost around the clock.”
EMS transports goods across Sweden, from Malmö in the south to Luleå in the north.
The exchange points is a setup that requires precision but makes logistics efficient and flexible. Locally, shuttle drivers deliver goods to customers, most of whom are major grocery retailers. “For us, having the trucks running 24/7 is essential to fulfil our commitments,” says Håkan. “And it’s only natural, as trucks today are better than ever.”
“Even though diesel is cleaner today, we are curious about what’s coming and have wanted to try something new. Not blindly, of course – but when it’s well founded, why not?”
– Per-Håkan Sundqvist, EMS Transport & Logistic.
EMS has long worked to optimise its transport operations. However, taking the step towards biogas was not an obvious decision.
“We know how diesel works. We’ve been using it for years,” says Per-Håkan. “Even though diesel is cleaner today, we are curious about what’s coming and have wanted to try something new. Not blindly, of course – but when it’s well founded, why not?”
When the opportunity to invest in biogas arose through an offer from Scania, supported by a climate incentive that made the investment more manageable, EMS decided to give it a try. “Our industry is often criticised for polluting. We want to do our part to reduce emissions. So, we thought let’s try.”
EMS's Scania 460 has been operating on biogas for more than a year.
The results have been somewhat surprising, especially to Per-Håkan: “To be honest, I expected it to be more complicated, even chaotic. But it has worked very well. I’m genuinely impressed.”
The biogas-powered truck – a Scania 460 with a G25 gearbox and twin tanks – has been in operation for just over a year. During that time, it has covered 320,000 kilometres, essentially the same as the rest of the fleet. It runs on the same routes as the diesel trucks and is fully integrated into EMS’s regular flow. “We can drive the entire route without refuelling, but we take the opportunity when we change drivers,” says Per-Håkan.
Refuelling takes 15–20 minutes and is integrated into the existing workflow, typically during driver changes. The fact that the nearest filling station is 90 kilometres away, in Umeå, has not been an issue. “It’s about planning. We know where we stop, and there are refuelling options where we need them. That makes biogas a good fit for us.”
Refuelling with biogas is integrated into the drivers' regular route planning.
One of the main concerns ahead of introducing the biogas truck was how drivers would respond. “Our other trucks have 560 horsepower; this one has 460. That’s a difference of a hundred horsepower,” says Per-Håkan. But there has been little reaction. “We haven’t heard anything at all. No complaints, nothing. It drives just like the others.”
Operations have also been stable. “It has been running almost continuously without issues. There was one occasion when temperatures dropped to minus 35 degrees. We noticed it wasn’t running smoothly. But after warming it up in a garage for an hour, it was back to normal. So extreme cold may be where it’s a bit more sensitive.”
Maintenance needs are not significantly different from those of diesel trucks. “Oil changes, tyre replacements – nothing unusual. We receive excellent service, but we already knew that. Of course, there is wear and tear, but that’s the case with any vehicle.”
EMS currently operates one biogas-powered truck, and the fuel is, at present, more expensive than diesel, which affects the business case. “Economically, it is more costly, we have to be honest about that,” says Per-Håkan. “The climate incentive helped at the start, but over time that advantage diminishes.”
Even so, it is important for EMS to stand out. “Biogas attracts attention. I hope and believe we will see more vehicles like this as people discover the benefits – including us.”
While diesel remains a strong option for the long-distance routes EMS operates along the E4, there are other values at play. “Our customers see what we do and appreciate it. Sustainability is a major topic today, and the type of transport we offer matters.”
For EMS, biogas is not about replacing everything overnight, but about moving forward step by step. “It’s a natural progression,” says Per-Håkan. “We have to keep up. And who knows what the future will bring.”
