Introducing the researcher bringing humanity into transport electrification

At Scania, curiosity it’s part of how we move forward together. It shapes our products, our culture, and the researchers who push boundaries every day.

One of them is Vivek, an Industrial PhD researcher who recently took the stage at the Researchers’ Grand Prix, Sweden’s national competition for communicating research. Not only did he represent Scania and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, but he also won the Stockholm heat and placed second in the national final – presenting complex research in just four minutes to an audience of mostly high-school students.

But what is the research behind the applause? And what motivates a young engineer from Mumbai, India, to spend his days in the Swedish forest talking to truck drivers about the future?

“When your research is well received, that’s the best gift. It means you’re doing something that matters,” says Vivek.

“It’s not only about technology. I listen to the people who are our customers and try to understand what is preventing them from shifting from diesel to electric,” he explains.

Through interviews, systems thinking, and collaborative research in Sweden’s forestry sector, he maps out uncertainties, risks, and challenges for forestry freight hauliers. The goal? To understand why the transition isn’t happening fast enough – and what Scania can do to help accelerate it.

Forestry transport represents nearly 20% of Sweden’s heavy-duty market, making it a strategic place to begin change. “It is one of the biggest sectors. If you start a ripple there, it can become a wave for the rest of the industry,” states Vivek.

Today, only a handful of electric trucks operate in Sweden’s forestry transport, most of them through the Scania-supported TREE project (Transition to Efficient Electrified Forestry Transport). Vivek’s research contributes directly to this real-world testing.

The deeper Vivek dives into his research, the more personal it becomes. “When I speak with drivers, I understand their worries. Research becomes purpose-driven – helping them stay in business while becoming sustainable.”

His work closely supports Scania’s Customer First value and the company’s climate targets by addressing real barriers in the transition to fossil-free transport.

Vivek’s Scania journey began in 2020 through the Scania Student Intro programme, followed by a master thesis and a role in engine development.

“Scania let me choose the path I wanted. My manager believed in me. That’s why this place is so attractive as an employer,” he says.

Today, as an Industrial PhD researcher, he represents the bridge between industry and academia – something many students at the Grand Prix found inspiring. Vivek’s journey shows what happens when passion finds opportunity – and how Scania enables people to grow, explore, and contribute to meaningful change.

“In the end, staying humble and grounded is what matters. Research teaches you that you only know a tiny bit – and there is always more to learn.”

Since July, Vivek has transitioned to the TRATON Group R&D, continuing his research journey within the wider family of global transport innovators.

So, here’s the question for tomorrow’s engineers and researchers:
Where could your curiosity take you?