At the end of 2022, the first all-electric truck was officially registered in Taiwan. Compared to traditional trucks, this 26-ton all-electric truck reduces carbon emissions by 52 tons annually, opening a new chapter in the future of green transportation. The first two trucks were delivered by Swedish heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer Scania. Taiwan was the first stop in the Asia-Pacific region for the new trucks. Scania Taiwan General Manager Michaela Boye expressed confidence that Scania's products and services would contribute to Taiwan's green transformation.
At a recent forum co-hosted by National Taiwan University and the European Chamber of Commerce, Bo Ming-xi joined several female leaders in the sustainability field on campus. The Environmental Information Center took the opportunity to invite Bo Ming-xi to discuss her career, Scania's sustainability vision, and her reflections on the future of green transportation in Taiwan from the Swedish experience.
The Scania Way of Mutual Respect Promotes Sustainable Female Power
It is quite curious that the slender woman in front of us would join the "masculine" automotive industry, not to mention a car dealer that mainly produces heavy vehicles. Bo Mingxi said that in addition to his professional background in mechanical engineering, it was also because of his good impression of the company itself. "To be precise, I did not choose to enter the automotive industry, but I was interested in Scania as a company." This idea reflects the "Scania Way" corporate culture of mutual respect and team spirit. Scania Taiwan, which just joined the "Taiwan Talent Sustainability Action Alliance" last year, advocates diversity and inclusion, and actively strives for women to join the team. The positions they are engaged in include female maintenance technicians, and implement gender-neutral talent sustainability management. Bo Mingxi pointed out: "25% of global emissions come from transportation, and transportation is the key to economic and social sustainability. Scania understands that it is the source of the problem. We do not want to be one of the problems, but to be part of the solution."
Scania aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. How will it do that?
According to its official website, Scania plans to reduce carbon emissions from its operations and electricity sources by 50% by 2025, based on a 2015 baseline. By 2030, 50% of its vehicle fleet will be electric, ultimately achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2040. "We have signed the Science-Based Targets (SBTi) initiative, becoming the first in the industry to do so," Mr. Boehringer emphasized.
Scania is also striving for green transformation in its production and operational processes. In April of this year, Scania's Tainan plant officially launched solar power generation, which is expected to achieve an emission reduction of 40.5 tons. For vehicles sold, Scania reduces unnecessary waste through comprehensive after-sales services. Bo Mingxi explained: "We have a 'flexible maintenance' approach, which means we monitor vehicle operating data to let us know when to replace parts and oil." She emphasized: "Unless it is absolutely necessary, we will not easily replace parts and oil." The move towards electrification of products is Scania's way of implementing green transformation. Scania's sustainable transportation strategy is based on three pillars: energy efficiency, renewable fuels and electrification, and smart and safe transportation.
Considering cost-efficiency and technological advantages, Scania chose to start with batteries. However, electrification is not the only solution. "I believe that in the long term, we won't have batteries as the only power source," said Birmingham. "Because some areas are very remote and sometimes driving distances is very long, charging is relatively difficult, so hybrid propulsion is necessary, and we may continue to use biofuels or hydrogen." Although several years ago, Scania believed that battery technology should be fully developed over hydrogen for efficiency reasons, Birmingham stated, "Scania is actually also conducting trials with hydrogen in Sweden and Norway, so we haven't completely stopped... In the future, I believe we will combine multiple technologies."
Sweden's experience reflects on the future of green transportation in Taiwan
Manufacturers' own actions are only part of the transformation process. Taiwan's sustainable transportation development still faces numerous obstacles. Bo Ming-hsi pointed out that Taiwan needs to develop localized vehicle component production, especially as the world is investing in and developing related technologies, and Taiwan cannot afford to fall behind. After all, "we can't force our customers to seek green solutions. If they fail, we gain nothing."
Furthermore, Taiwan's public transportation could consider a wider range of fuels. Bo Ming-hsi noted that Bristol, UK, uses Scania biogas-powered buses, which emit 90% less carbon dioxide than traditional diesel buses and save up to 30% on fuel costs. She explained, "The waste generated by 1,000 people can power a bus for a year, creating local jobs."
Bo Mingxi proudly said: "This is our Swedish expertise. I would like to say that the ultimate goal of waste disposal is zero waste. It is put into biofuel or reused in different ways. I think Taiwan can learn a lot from this." Taiwan is currently facing the dilemma of having too much garbage to burn. If it learns waste disposal from Sweden, it will definitely have the possibility of greater sustainability and even greater energy independence.
Just two weeks prior to the interview, Scania Taiwan's Kaohsiung technical team placed in the top ten globally in an internal global technical competition. Competing against 1,500 branches worldwide, they advanced from national competitions to regional finals, ultimately qualifying for the World Top Team competition. Bo Ming-Hsi proudly stated, "I'm very proud of our highly professional technical staff. We have the best team in Taiwan." Taiwan, with its world-class technological prowess, holds immense potential not only within Scania but across all sectors. From public transportation to logistics vehicles, Scania and Sweden's experience offers a promising future, a model worthy of reference for Taiwan, a country brimming with potential as it embarks on its first steps.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/236732)
