Future batteries for electric trucks: Li-S and Na-S

Scania Group; Södertälje kommun; On-site; SEK 20,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized Scania apartment in SödertÄ

Two office-days per week

Job summary

Scania Group in Södertälje, Sweden, invites applications for a MSc thesis project on future batteries for electric trucks, focusing on Li-S and Na-S chemistry with SPAN cathodes. The work includes techno-economic assessment, cell and pack concepts, and aging and cost modelling.

Supervision is provided, with a structured two-office-days-per-week schedule. The student will analyze literature, derive concepts, and estimate costs for a multi-GWh scale.

Qualifications

• Must have studies on electrochemistry, physics, electrical engineering or energy engineering.
• Relevant coursework on battery technology.
• Previous work on battery degradation or cost is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess likely Li-S and Na-S developments relevant for future battery electric trucks.
• Derive representative Li-S and Na-S cell concepts and matching pack concepts for BET.
• Assess battery degradation during BET operation using a semi-empirical aging model.
• Estimate costs for raw materials, cell production and pack production at multi-GWh scale.

Job description

MSc thesis. Future batteries for electric trucks: Li-S and Na-S.

Scania is one of the leading European manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles. The 2025 global sales were 87'600 trucks and 6'500 buses, with 41 % of the total outside Europe. When it comes to global warming, we already contribute to the necessary reduction of fossil CO2 emissions with a focus on battery-electric trucks and buses.

Background

According to EU regulation 2019/1242, from 2019 to 2030, 2035 and 2040 the average tailpipe-CO2 of new truck sales shall be reduced by 43, 64 and 90 %. The plan is to reach this reduction by quickly ramping up the sales of battery-electric trucks (BET).

In the 2030ies, established battery chemistries will be developed further, and emerging chemistries will enter the market. New chemistries can enable improved battery properties, the diversification of the raw material feedstock or a reduction of cost.

The demands on battery cells for BET are, listed by decreasing priority: Sufficient cycle life, high efficiency, sufficient C-rate, low procurement cost, high energy density.

To construct BET with the Cell-To-Pack (CTP) and Pack-To-Chassis (PTC) technology improves the trade-off between low weight and high range. CTP and PTC put besides electrochemical and thermal also mechanical requirements on the battery cells.

Task

In this M.Sc. thesis project (30 hp) for one student, a techno-economic assessment of future Li-sulfur and Na-sulfur battery technology for BET shall be conducted, both batteries with SPAN cathodes. The task is to (i) identify and assess expected developments in Li-S and Na-S relevant for future BET, based on scientific literature and publicly available data; (ii) derive representative future Li-S and Na-S cell concepts and matching battery pack concepts based on these findings and the requirements of BET; (iii) assess battery degradation during representative BET operation using a simplified semi-empirical aging model; and (iv) estimate the costs for raw-material, cell-production and pack-production at multiple-GWh/year scale.

To facilitate and speed up the work, skilled supervision and a license for ChatGPT Enterprise will be available.

Education & organisation:

Studies: (Electro)chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, energy engineering

Is a must: Relevant courses on battery technology.

Is a bonus: Previous work on battery degradation and/or cost.

Number of students: One.

Start of work: (a) 18 Jan (b) 1 Feb 2027.

Estimated duration: Until (a) 20 Jun (b) 4 Jul 2027. Two office-days per week

Language of work: English, Swedish

Location of work: Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden

Students from outside Stockholm County can rent a subsidized Scania apartment in Södertälje.

Per student, payment before taxes: 20'000 SEK at the start, 20'000 SEK after the final report was approved by Scania.

Per student, travel expenses: 1 to 2 roundtrips between study location and Södertälje.

Contact persons and supervisors:

Antonius KIES, Energy Economy / Range. Tel. [phone] - 724 24

David RAYMAND, Battery Cells. Tel. [phone] - 532 93

Björn WEIßHAR, High Voltage Batteries. Tel. [phone]

Publication date

Until the position is staffed or latest until 22 Nov 2026.