New R&D proving ground strengthens future transport development
Scania today inaugurates the new R&D proving ground in Södertälje. Representing an investment of approximately SEK 975 million, the 85-hectare facility strengthens the TRATON GROUP’s R&D capabilities and ability to develop, test and validate future transport solutions under controlled and realistic conditions.
The new facility adds 13 kilometres of paved roads and 4 kilometres of gravel roads. It is located in Södertälje and designed to support testing across electrification, autonomous systems, safety, vehicle dynamics and conventional technologies.
“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, TRATON GROUP and Scania.
The R&D proving ground was inaugurated on 19 October by doing what it was built for: putting vehicles on the track. Instead of traditional ribbon-cutting, a range of vehicles entered the proving ground, representing the breadth of technologies and applications the facility is designed to support.
The proving ground gives possibilities to carry out tests that previously required external test facilities. Large, purpose-built surfaces enable vehicle-dynamics testing, while dedicated areas can be configured for active safety and autonomous-driving scenarios with different levels of 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, Scania.
For safety development, the facility includes three irrigated braking tracks with different friction characteristics: asphalt, concrete and basalt tiles. The tracks make it possible to test braking with different grip levels on each side of the vehicle, and the basalt section includes a curve for braking tests while cornering.
The facility has a flexible environment for testing advanced driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane support and blind-spot warning. For autonomous transport, engineers can build realistic traffic scenarios and increase their complexity gradually.
Repeatability is a key part of vehicle development. The paving specification has been adapted to provide long service life and the surface evenness needed for comparable tests over time, including banked curves. With gradients of up to 22 percent, the drivers experience the road as straight despite that it is built as an oval, making it an endless highway.
The new facility adds to the wider research and development capabilities available within 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, TRATON GROUP.
Nature and biodiversity have been considered in the site design. The construction project has focused on reducing resource use and environmental impact, and construction choices such as using ECO asphalt and HVO100 for transports, have avoided approximately 30,900 tonnes CO2e.
Facts R&D proving ground:
Location: Södertälje, Sweden
Investment: Approximately SEK 975 million
Size: Approximately 85 hectares (850 000 m²)
Paved roads: 13 km
Gravel roads: 4 km
Paved test surfaces: 230,000 m²
Gravel surfaces: 54,000 m²
Purpose: Development, testing and validation of future transport solutions
Technology areas: Electrification, autonomous systems, safety, vehicle dynamics, and conventional technologies
Learn more about innovation at Scania.
For further information, please contact:
Veronica Nilsson
Public and Media Relations Manager
Phone: +46 72 084 98 43
E-mail: veronica.nilsson@scania.com
Scania is a world-leading provider of premium transport solutions. Together with our partners and customers, we are driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system. Founded in Sweden in 1891, Scania now operates in more than 100 countries and employs around 53,000 people. Production takes place in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Research and development is carried out globally with our main site in Södertälje, Sweden. As part of the TRATON Group, we are empowered by shared industrial strength, scale and expertise to accelerate innovation and the shift towards a sustainable transport system. In 2025, Scania delivered 87,600 trucks, 6,500 buses and coaches as well as 9,200 industrial and marine power systems to our customers. Net sales totalled over SEK 198 billion, of which about 20 percent were services related. For more information visit: www.scania.com
Overview of Scania's R&D proving ground in Södertälje, Sweden
Overview of Scania's R&D proving ground in Södertälje, Sweden (full size image)
Vehicle testing on the paved area at Scania's proving ground
Curved test roads at Scania's proving ground
Test track at Scania's R&D proving ground in Södertälje
Scania truck on a curved test road
Scania truck and trailer on the proving ground