Focus on Climate Change When Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and British Opposition Leader David Cameron Visit Scania

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--During their visit, Mr Reinfeldt and Mr Cameron got a glimpse of Scania’s (STO:SCVA)(STO:SCVB) work to reduce environmental and climate impact – everything from using biofuels to developing more efficient engines and training drivers in more fuel-efficient and safer driving techniques.

Scania has been in the forefront of efforts to develop more efficient engines and to reduce rolling and air resistance. In addition, Swedish authorities have increased the maximum permitted weight. As a result, between 1970 and 2000 Scania halved fuel consumption per tonne-kilometre for truck haulage. The company’s goal is to halve fuel consumption once again by 2020.

Scania also invests in the development of engines powered by renewable fuels. All engines that Scania manufactures can operate on biodiesel, for example rapeseed methyl ester (RME).

For urban transport, Scania considers ethanol the most suitable alternative today. As the world’s largest manufacturer of ethanol-powered city buses, Scania has good experience in this field and has delivered 600 such buses to date. Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL), the Stockholm regional public transport company, has operated ethanol buses in regular service since 1989, and trial operations with such buses are under way in a number of major cities around the world.

Scania also develops other cutting-edge technology. It is currently working on a very promising hybrid drive concept based exclusively on proven technology. Diesel, ethanol or gas-powered engines are supplemented with an electrical motor/generator for propulsion and energy recovery, as well as ultracapacitors for energy storage. This makes the powertrain very efficient, with potential fuel saving of 25 percent or more. Such hybrid vehicles are expected to be ready for marketing within a five-year period.

Scania also works with driver training, aimed at getting drivers to focus on safe driving and reduced fuel consumption. A well trained driver can reduce fuel consumption by about 10 percent, and in addition there are major gains from better road safety.