Battery electric trucks could soon become part of the energy system, not just a means of moving freight, following a groundbreaking demonstration by Scania that combined vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology with the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard.
The demonstration is believed to be one of the world’s first examples of bi-directional charging using MCS for heavy commercial vehicles, allowing an electric truck to both draw electricity from and return electricity to the grid.
The project highlights how heavy electric vehicles could provide additional value for fleet operators by supporting energy management, reducing electricity costs and helping stabilise local power networks when vehicles are parked.
As more fleets transition to battery electric trucks, charging infrastructure and electricity supply are becoming increasingly important considerations. Large-scale charging of heavy vehicles can place significant demands on local grids, particularly at depot locations where multiple vehicles may charge simultaneously.
Scania believes electric trucks could help address some of these challenges by acting as mobile energy storage assets.
“Electric trucks will not only consume electricity, they can also become an active resource in the energy system,” said Tobias Ejderhamn, Global Manager, Transformation & New Business at Scania.
“This shift transforms the fleet operator’s role from solely providing transport services to also offering energy flexibility.”
The demonstration utilised Megawatt Charging System technology, the next generation of ultra-fast charging developed specifically for heavy commercial vehicles. The demonstration setup achieved charging rates of up to 1,000 amps and 750kW.
Beyond the charging speed itself, the project showcased advanced communication between the truck, charging equipment and energy management systems.
This real-time communication enables charging and discharging decisions to be coordinated automatically based on vehicle requirements, electricity demand and grid conditions.
Yorben Muller, Product Manager Charging at TRATON, said the combination of megawatt charging and intelligent energy management was a significant step forward for the industry.
“What makes this significant is not only the bi-directional energy flow itself, but the ability to combine megawatt charging with intelligent energy management,” Muller said.
“To our knowledge, this is one of the world’s first demonstrations of vehicle-to-grid functionality using MCS for heavy commercial vehicles.
“The truck, charger and energy system can communicate with each other in real time, creating the foundation for heavy electric vehicles to become active and controllable assets in the energy system.”
For fleet operators, the technology could create several potential benefits beyond reducing transport emissions.
These include lowering electricity costs through better energy management, improving utilisation of onsite renewable energy such as solar power, supporting grid stability and potentially generating additional revenue through participation in future energy flexibility markets.
The system demonstrated by Scania supports bi-directional charging and discharging through the same charging interface, while integrating with external charging and energy management systems.
According to Scania, depot charging environments are likely to be the first practical application for the technology. Trucks often spend extended periods parked between shifts, creating opportunities to store energy when electricity is abundant and return it to the grid when demand is higher.
The technology could also improve utilisation of expensive charging infrastructure and help fleets make better use of existing grid connections.
“The ability to combine high-power charging with intelligent and secure energy management could also strengthen the business case for battery electric trucks by creating new ways for fleet operators to optimise energy usage and lower their operational costs,” Ejderhamn said.
While vehicle-to-grid technology is already being explored in the passenger vehicle sector, Scania’s demonstration highlights the substantial battery capacity available in heavy commercial vehicles and the role they could play in supporting future energy networks.
As battery electric truck adoption grows globally, integrating transport and energy systems may become an increasingly important part of fleet operations, creating opportunities for operators to reduce costs while supporting a more flexible and resilient electricity grid.
