Hello,
Can electric trucks work in remote forests?
Scania and SCA just proved they can.
Their test truck ran 22,000 kilometers in Germany. Over 90% of that distance was electric. CO₂ dropped more than 90% versus diesel.
Now they're testing in northern Sweden. The toughest timber routes in Europe. No charging stations. Deep snow. Heavy loads.
The goal: match diesel productivity while cutting emissions.
Here's what's moving European forestry this week:
🔍 The Big Story
Electric Timber Trucks Deliver 90% Emission Cuts in Field Tests
Scania, Horse Powertrain, and SCA are testing a new electric timber truck in northern Sweden. Early results look promising.
The technology: A battery-electric drivetrain plus a 120-kilowatt range-extender. The range-extender is a small 2.0-liter engine that charges the battery when needed. It can run on multiple fuels.
The performance target: 7-8 round trips per day on a 16-kilometer forest route. That matches what diesel trucks do today. No productivity loss.
What the German trial showed: Before Sweden, they tested in Germany for 100 days. The truck logged 22,000 kilometers. More than 90% of the distance ran on battery power. CO₂ emissions dropped over 90% compared to diesel.
Why this matters for remote forestry: Most electric vehicle solutions need charging infrastructure. Forest roads don't have that. This hybrid approach solves the problem. The small engine keeps the battery charged. The truck keeps working.
The partnership: Scania builds the truck. Horse Powertrain (part of Aurobay Technologies) provides the range-extender engine. SCA, one of Europe's largest private forest owners, operates the routes and provides real-world testing conditions.
What comes next: If Swedish tests confirm the German results, this technology could scale across Nordic forestry. Other forest companies are watching closely.
The bottom line: Electrification of forest logistics is no longer theoretical. We have verified field data showing it works in demanding conditions. Sources: Forest Machine Magazine | Automotive World
📊 Quick Hits
1. 🇳🇱 Netherlands Launches €10 Million Carbon Removal Fund
The Dutch government opened a new subsidy for carbon removal technologies. Total budget: €10 million. Individual grants can reach €4 million.
Who can apply: Partnerships of at least three organizations. You need a credible path to deployment within 10 years.
Application window: March 17 to April 16, 2026. Mark your calendar.
What qualifies: Forest-based carbon removal, biochar, mineralization, and other durable solutions. The program sits inside the broader MOOI innovation scheme.
The bigger picture: This complements a €50 million commitment to carbon removal in the 2026 Dutch nature bill. The Netherlands is betting on CDR.
The takeaway: If you're developing forest-based carbon removal in Europe, Dutch co-financing just became available. Start building your consortium now. Sources: Carbon Herald | Green.earth
2. 🌲 Verra Updates Leakage Rules for Forest Projects
Verra published version 1.1 of its leakage module VMD0054. This affects how forest carbon projects calculate emissions from displaced agriculture.
What changed: The module now has updated accounting methods for agricultural displacement. Projects using methodologies VM0032, VM0042, and VM0047 are affected.
The timeline: Version 1.1 is active since January 13, 2026. Version 1.0 will be inactivated on February 1, 2027.
The grace period: If you want to use version 1.0, submit your registration request before January 31, 2027.
The takeaway: Check if your ARR or agricultural land management project uses affected methodologies. Plan your transition now, not later. Source: Verra
3. 📣 New on Fordaq: The Forestry Communicator's Playbook
My third article in the Fordaq series just went live. This one is the practical guide.
What it covers: How every forester becomes a PR person for the profession. The "open factory" problem. Lessons from Finland's Forest Finland campaign. A simple framework for answering tough questions from curious hikers.
Key insight: Environmental groups built influence one conversation at a time. Forestry can do the same — if we choose to.
The series so far:
"The PR Battle Forestry Never Fought" — how we lost the narrative
"What Forestry Forgot to Tell the World" — achievements we failed to communicate
"The Forestry Communicator's Playbook" — practical strategies that work
The takeaway: You don't need a million-euro budget. You need prepared answers and the willingness to engage. Source: Fordaq
4. 🇦🇹 Austrian Pellet Prices Hold Steady at €307 per Tonne
Austrian wood pellet prices stayed flat in December at €307.45 per tonne. That's the benchmark for Central European biomass.
Year-over-year: Prices remain well below the 2022-2023 spike when energy markets went crazy. The market has normalized.
What this means: Heating costs for pellet users are predictable. Pellet producers have stable revenue. Neither buyers nor sellers face sudden pressure.
The takeaway: Biomass economics in Austria remain workable. No panic, no windfall. Source: proPellets Austria
📅 The Weeks Ahead
January 28, 2026: Verra Stakeholder Webinar — Review processes, digitalization, methodology updates (11:00 AM ET / 17:00 CET)
January 30, 2026: UK Oxford-Cambridge National Forest — Expression of Interest deadline
January 31, 2026: Verra Nature Framework — Expression of Interest deadline
February 1, 2027: Verra VMD0054 v1.0 inactivation deadline (plan ahead)
March 4-5, 2026: RFSI Europe — Regenerative Food Systems Investment, Brussels
March 17 - April 16, 2026: Netherlands MOOI carbon removal subsidy — Application window
December 30, 2026: EUDR deadline for large and medium operators
🎯 One Thing to Try This Week
Audit your fleet emissions.
Electric timber trucks are no longer science fiction. Real data exists. Before you dismiss electrification as "not ready," answer these questions:
What routes do your trucks run? How long? How remote?
What's your current diesel cost per kilometer?
Do any routes have grid access for potential charging?
What's your equipment replacement schedule?
Would your customers pay a premium for low-carbon logistics?
You don't need to buy an electric truck tomorrow. But understanding your baseline prepares you for when the economics shift. That shift is coming faster than most expect.
Until Tuesday!
Wish you all the best: Peter
P.S. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in forestry right now?
Hit reply and let me know — I read every message personally.
P. P. S. Know a forest professional who’s drowning in EUDR complexity or missing out on timber market shifts? Forward this email to them!
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