New electric hybrid truck at Östrand pulp mill

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At Östrand's mill area, there are large log trucks that run around the clock, all year round. Handling is now further developed through the environmentally friendly EdiLog truck. The new truck arrived last week and SCA's partner Engbergs Transportsystem has recently put it into operation. With the electric hybrid truck, SCA is taking another step towards fossil-free vehicle handling.

Since the 1970s, Engbergs Transportsystem has managed the transport of wood handling at Östrand's pulp mill. Engbergs’ and SCA’s first EdiLog has been working in Östrand’s wood handling since 2018. In addition to reducing operating costs compared to conventional log trucks, CO2 emissions were cut by approximately 125 tons per machine per year, when running around the clock. EdiLog was also designed for reuse. After roughly half of the steel construction’s lifespan, components can be replaced to extend the truck's life at a reduced cost.

Next-generation log truck

It is now time for the next step forward for log truck handling and Engbergs has developed an EdiLog that is electrically powered.

“EdiLog is now powered by an electric motor mounted directly on the front axle. We expect the machine to run for up to 4 hours on battery. When the batteries are depleted, the machine automatically switches to diesel operation without disrupting production. Charging the battery from 20-80 percent takes about 90 minutes. The lower RPM in the new EdiLog also reduces noise, and all specified effects are achieved without impacting the machine's performance,” says Kjell-Arne Engberg, Head for EdiLog at Engbergs Transportsystem.

Advanced equipment also facilitates troubleshooting and enables technical diagnostics, measurements, and monitoring.

“It is very good that we can develop the electric truck handling further through this new generation of electric hybrid trucks. Here at Östrand pulp mill, the trucks run around the clock, and the more that operation can be done by electric driven trucks, the better,” says Juha Kivimäki who is team leader for the wood room at Östrand pulp mill.

Safety aspects

Ensuring that EdiLog is safe to operate is important to Engbergs.

“We use a battery chemistry (LFP) with slightly lower energy content, but it is much safer against thermal runaway. We have also developed a training program together with a company, which spans four levels, from operators and supervisors to various levels for maintenance personnel,” says Kjell-Arne Engberg.

Improved working environment

The working environment for drivers is also improved, as the heating elements and air conditioning compressor are now electrically powered. This allows the cab to be pre-climatized before the machine is put into operation.

The benefits of the hybrid truck are numerous:

  • Zero CO2 emissions during battery operation
  • Lower operating costs
  • Reduced external noise
  • Improved working environment
  • Components with fewer moving parts

For further information, contact
Robert Östholm, SCA Press Office, + 46 60 19 33 01