Scania opens SEK 975 million proving ground in Södertälje
Scania inaugurated a new R&D proving ground in Södertälje, Sweden, on 19 October. The approximately SEK 975 million investment strengthens the TRATON GROUP’s capacity to develop, test and validate transport technologies, including electrification, autonomous systems and vehicle safety.
The 85-hectare facility adds 13 kilometres of paved roads and four kilometres of gravel roads. It enables testing under controlled and realistic conditions, including work that previously required external test facilities.
“The transformation of transport requires us to continuously strengthen the way we develop and validate new technologies. This investment is about building the capabilities we need for the future while ensuring that the solutions we bring to our customers have the safety, quality and performance they expect,” says Christian Levin, President and CEO of the TRATON GROUP and Scania.
Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the inauguration featured a range of vehicles entering the track, representing the technologies and applications the facility is designed to support.
Braking, vehicle dynamics and driver assistance
Large, purpose-built surfaces enable vehicle-dynamics testing, while dedicated areas can be configured for active safety and autonomous-driving scenarios of varying complexity.
For safety development, the facility includes three irrigated braking tracks with asphalt, concrete and basalt-tile surfaces. These allow engineers to test braking with different grip levels on each side of a vehicle. The basalt section also includes a curve for braking tests while cornering.
The proving ground provides a flexible environment for testing advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane support and blind-spot warning. For autonomous transport development, engineers can create realistic traffic scenarios and gradually increase their complexity.
“New technology only creates value when it performs in the real world. The R&D proving ground gives our engineers greater possibilities to test, learn and validate solutions under demanding conditions. It strengthens our ability to turn innovation into solutions that deliver real value for our customers,” says Sara Forsberg, CTO and Head of Brand Identity Development at Scania.
Repeatable testing for future transport solutions
The road surfaces have been designed for long service life and consistent conditions, helping engineers conduct comparable tests over time. The oval track includes banked curves that support continuous highway-style testing.
The facility expands the research and development resources available across the TRATON GROUP.
“Advanced testing and validation capabilities become increasingly necessary as we develop the next generation of transport solutions. The R&D Proving Ground is an important addition to our landscape and strengthens our ability to turn new technologies into proven solutions,” says Niklas Klingenberg, Head of Group R&D at the TRATON GROUP.
According to Scania, nature and biodiversity were considered in the site design, while construction focused on reducing resource use and environmental impact. The company says construction choices, including ECO asphalt and the use of HVO100 for transport, avoided approximately 30,900 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
Key facts
- Location: Södertälje, Sweden
- Investment: Approximately SEK 975 million
- Site area: Approximately 85 hectares
- Paved roads: 13 km
- Gravel roads: 4 km
- Paved test surfaces: 230,000 m²
- Gravel surfaces: 54,000 m²
- Technology areas: Electrification, autonomous systems, safety, vehicle dynamics and conventional technologies
