picture: Scania

Scania has rolled out a new modular powertrain platform for buses and coaches that combines a heavily updated 13-litre combustion engine with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. Operators can cut fuel and CO₂ now, meet zero-emission zone (ZEZ) rules in cities, and keep long-distance range intact—without waiting for full-battery infrastructure to catch up.

Why this matters – our view

Public transport decarbonization isn’t one-size-fits-all. Intercity and long-distance routes still need range, while cities increasingly mandate zero-emission operation. Scania’s platform answers both: it improves diesel efficiency for today’s economics and adds real electric capability for ZEZ compliance – an approach we’ve long called the hybrid bridge.

What Scania announced

• One platform, two paths:
  • Combustion line: New 13-litre engine + gearbox, brake, and axle upgrades for better efficiency, drivability, and lower TCO in intercity/long-distance use. Scania cites up to ~8% fuel efficiency gains from engine + gearbox improvements, plus a service life up to ~2,000,000 km.
  • PHEV line: Dual 145 kW e-machines integrated with a new 6-speed gearbox, regenerative braking, and geo-fenced Scania Zone automation to switch to fully electric operation (up to ~80 km) in ZEZs. Scania indicates up to ~40% fuel/CO₂ savings in typical mixed coach traffic (operation-dependent).
• Driveline & chassis highlights: New G25CM gearbox (quicker shifts, lower RPM at cruise), updated rear/tag axles (R716/R756; A461/AM461) for lower fuel use and noise, and modular brake/retarder options (including CRB and the 4700 D retarder). Wheel configurations span 4×2 to 8×2.

Operator takeaway

• Immediate savings, no range anxiety: Use the combustion line to reduce fuel and CO₂ on long routes today, with extended service life for uptime.
• ZEZ-ready without full BEV leap: Deploy the PHEV to glide silently and emission-free through city centers while keeping highway performance and range. Geo-fencing automates compliance.
• TCO focus: Scania provides a calculator for side-by-side TCO, fuel and CO₂ comparisons across duty cycles (urban, intercity, long distance). Use it to pressure-test scenarios before committing capex.

How this fits the Hybrid Alliance roadmap

We advocate pragmatic decarbonization: scale electrification where the grid and duty cycle are ready, and deploy hybrid/plug-in hybrid where they deliver the fastest real-world CO₂ cuts per euro. Scania’s platform aligns with that philosophy – modular and duty-cycle aware, not ideology-driven.

Read more here: Scania new bus and coach powertrain – built for sustainable travel | Scania Group