Scania starts manufacturing off-road batteries
In February 2025, insolvent battery specialist Northvolt announced that it would spin off and sell Northvolt Systems Industrial. Founded in 2018, the division developed and produced battery systems for heavy industry and off-highway applications and is said to have been one of Northvolt’s few profitable business areas. The buyer: Northvolt investor and customer Scania. In the spring, the commercial vehicle manufacturer took over the corresponding production facility for battery modules near Gdansk, a research and development centre in Tomteboda near Stockholm and a team of around 260 employees. The purchase price was not disclosed.
“The acquired company will be a partner to Scania’s business unit Power Solutions. This will add on to Scania’s offering as part of a diversified product portfolio,” Scania said in April. However, it will continue to operate as an independent company. As it now appears, the former Northvolt division will be absorbed into the new Scania Industrial Batteries unit, which in turn sees itself as a provider of a ‘fully integrated solution’ that is now available to customers.
With the new battery system offering, Scania’s electrified off-road portfolio now includes electric motors, software, connectivity, special support services, and batteries for construction site vehicles and the like. The battery systems range from 21 to 624 kWh and up to 1000 volts. They can be ordered from Scania as a stand-alone product or as part of a complete electric powertrain.
“With this new offering, we aim to lead the electrification of off-road applications and support our customers in making the transition to sustainable solutions,” commented Gustaf Sundell, Executive Vice President and Head of Ventures and New Business at Scania. “By combining the agility and speed of our newly acquired company with Scania’s deep engineering expertise and extensive global network, we are well-positioned to accelerate electrification in the toughest off-road environments.”
Scania now offers battery solutions for buses, trucks and industrial off-road applications. The new battery systems are compatible with Scania’s existing electric drive components, enabling faster development, testing and commissioning of construction machinery. “Batteries are not just energy tanks; they’re critical systems that impact performance, efficiency, and uptime,” emphasises Elin Åkerström, CEO of Scania Industrial Batteries. “With our deep expertise and experience in battery systems, we support customers from concept to deployment and after-sales support. Customers can rely on Scania for high-quality battery systems engineered for uptime, performance, and sustainability, powering off-road vehicles in the toughest environments.”
This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.
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