The First Fully Electric Truck from Scania Germany Goes to Bona

The first fully electric truck from Scania Germany is being delivered to Bona Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH in Limburg an der Lahn. Bona has been a specialist in high-quality flooring for over 100 years and places great importance on sustainability. The vehicle is set to start operations in September 2021.

(Koblenz/Limburg Lahn) At the end of May 2021, Bona Germany signed a contract with Scania Germany for the delivery of the first Scania electric truck operated in Germany. The fully electric Scania is intended to serve as an emission-free city shuttle connecting the company’s two locations in Limburg and making a sustainable contribution to reducing greenhouse gases.

The fact that the first model of the fully electric truck series presented in September 2020 goes to a company with Swedish roots is purely coincidental. However, Bona’s commitment to sustainability fits perfectly with the truck manufacturer’s brand strategy.

Passion for Floors

“Passion for floors” is the catchy slogan of the family-owned company founded in Malmö in 1919. “We develop products such as adhesives, oils, lacquers, and tools that enable our customers to optimally install, treat, maintain, and renovate floors throughout their entire lifecycle,” reports Dr. Thomas Brokamp, Managing Director of Bona Germany. A floor treated with the right products can save a significant amount of CO₂ that would be significant with a new floor – for a wooden floor, the savings are 78%, and for a PVC floor, even 90%. This environmentally and climate-friendly corporate philosophy also aligns with the decision for Scania. “Scania sees itself as a partner for innovative and future-oriented companies that set ambitious goals for reducing their emissions,” explains Stefan Ziegert, Product Manager for Sustainable Transport Solutions at Scania Germany.

City Logistics with Zero Emissions

Four to five times a day, the shuttle – soon to be the Scania electric truck – will travel the approximately six-kilometer route between the operational facilities. The fact that the route mostly runs through the city center of Limburg has been a concern for Bona’s Managing Director Dr. Brokamp for some time. However, since the cathedral city can only boast a single major traffic axis, there is no alternative route. This traffic situation has repeatedly led to high nitrogen dioxide levels. Consequently, driving bans are being considered starting in April 2022. To manage emissions, the city has launched a Green City Plan that includes projects such as low-emission city logistics and the expansion of e-mobility.

For Bona, the crucial question was how to find a vehicle that meets its sustainability expectations. Bona spent three years looking at the market. “I was surprised at how difficult it was to find a manufacturer with an electric truck,” recalls Dr. Thomas Brokamp. While there were already some prototypes and electrified conversions, they were not suitable for the desired solution with a series vehicle. Only an inquiry to Scania in the fall of 2020 got the ball rolling.

“Especially in urban traffic, the battery-powered truck from Scania has good arguments in its favor,” says Bona’s authorized signatory Thorsten Kusch, who accompanied the procurement process. “The truck is emission-free on the road, quiet, and very safe with systems like turning, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistants.” Bona decided on a motor vehicle from the P-series with a low-roof cab. The three-axle truck will start with nine battery packs with a total capacity of 300 kWh and a range of up to 250 kilometers.

Worry-Free Thanks to Scania Services

Bona’s managers also feel secure regarding the service for their new vehicle. “The Scania premium quality applies, of course, to our battery-powered trucks as well,” explains the expert for sustainable transport solutions at Scania, Stefan Ziegert. Buyers of an electric truck benefit just like any other Scania customer from the manufacturer’s full-service offering – including Scania services such as financing and insurance, service and maintenance contracts, and driver training. Dr. Thomas Brokamp and Thorsten Kusch were convinced by this offer – they opted for a lease-to-own arrangement through Scania Finance Deutschland GmbH. The customer also has the option to complete their package with insurance through Scania Finance later on.

Together Towards a Sustainable Future

The further roadmap for the first fully electric Scania truck in the Bona fleet is already set. The construction of the box with a loading platform will be handled by the vehicle manufacturer Sonntag in Lennestadt, Sauerland. The electric truck is expected to be fully equipped by September 2021. Meanwhile, Bona is focusing on the charging infrastructure. The company has already set the course for a power supply with renewable energy during the construction of the distribution center three years ago: A photovoltaic system with a peak output of 616 kWp is located on the roof. The cables for connecting the charging station have already been laid. Now, the focus is on building a battery charging station where the generated energy will be stored. Negotiations are also underway with providers for the charging station. However, it will still take some time before all preparations are completed. Therefore, Scania and Bona have made a special agreement: The Scania electric truck will initially serve for six months at Scania Rent as a demo vehicle. The electric truck can then be used as a practical example for emission-free city logistics with other Scania customers and interested parties – because only together can the logistics industry drive the transition to sustainable transport.

Photo: © Scania / Image caption: A trio for more sustainability: (l. to r.) Stefan Ziegert from Scania, Bona Managing Director Dr. Thomas Brokamp, and authorized signatory Thorsten Kusch