Tromsdalen, Northern Europe’s largest operational limestone quarry, is located in a valley 250 metres above sea level and 21 kilometres east of Verdal harbour. Verdalskalk delivers 1.5 million tonnes of lime yearly between the quarry and the harbour. The operation runs in two shifts between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on a 42-kilometer round journe. A Scania 45P with a total weight of 64 tonnes will be put into regular service on this route.
Verdalskalk’s dedicated drivers have driven as effectively and as sparingly as feasible. Now, Ketil Aksnes, Operations Manager at Verdalskalk, wants to take environmental measures a step further by combining an electric vehicle. The Scania 45P will follow a predetermined course from the limestone quarry at the top of Tromsdalen to the dock with a full cargo. The driver will be able to replenish the batteries on the way down by recycling power from the engine brake. The truck carries no freight from the harbour to the quarry and back.
“We will be the first transporter in Norway to test electric trucks in the heavy vehicle segment with up to 66 tonnes. We have a goal to be an active contributor to the green shift. To work hand in hand with Scania and be a Pilot Partner gives us a unique opportunity to get started with this. We are proud to be the first in Norway with an electric heavy vehicle in this segment, and we see that our driving route is excellent in terms of testing regeneration,” says Ketil Aksnes.
”A separate supercharging station will be installed at the harbor and we will have to calculate ´refueling´ three to four times during two shifts. The charging time is estimated to be 15-20 minutes each time.”
“We really appreciate that we have been able to work with Verdalskalk on this project. It is important to get started with heavy electric vehicles as well. The industry needs this experience so that we can roll out more transport solutions as the technology is ready,” says John Lauvstad, Sustainability, Marketing & Branding Director at Norsk Scania.
“We are looking forward to it, and many of our drivers have signed up as ‘electric pilots’”, says Aksnes in conclusion.
The vehicle is expected to enter everyday service by the end of February 2023.
