The Swedish vehicle manufacturer has established a collaboration with Asko Norge to evaluate the technical performance, operational feasibility and commercial potential of hydrogen trucks.

Asko Norge is one of Norway’s largest food wholesale and distribution companies, supplying groceries to retailers nationwide.

Initial hydrogen truck tests with Asko have shown ranges of up to 1,000km.

“Being part of Scania’s Pilot Partner initiative gives us a unique opportunity to test and influence the development of sustainable solutions that fit our operations,” explained Jørn Arvid Endresen, CEO of Asko Midt.

Scania’s Pilot Partner programme is designed to test new technologies with a small group of selected customers under real operating conditions.

Since being launched in 2021, it has focused on battery-electric trucks, hydrogen combustion and range-extender concepts, and now hydrogen fuel cell trucks.

Founded in 1891, the company is part of the Volkswagen Truck & Bus division (TRATON Group). The firm has taken a battery-electric (BEV) first stance in the last few years.

Its flagship long-haul BEV platform includes ranges targeting 350-450km per charge.

However, the company’s statement reaffirmed that the hydrogen vehicle test “does not change Scania’s strategy for the decarbonisation of the transport system, which remains centred on direct electrification.”

While real-world trials are useful, the long-term challenge for hydrogen trucking lies in moving from isolated pilots to scalable, commercially viable zero-emission truck fleets.