Swedish tech startup Einride has unveiled an autonomous, all-electric logging truck – and says it hopes to have it working within two years!

The T-Log – a followup to its on-highway autonomous T-Pod etruck unveiled last year – has 300kWh batteries that allow it to carry 16 tonnes of logs 200 kilometres on one charge.

The etruck saves on build costs, weight, space and driver wages by completely doing without a cab.

The 7.3 metre-long 6x4 is equipped with cameras, lidars and radars that give it a 360-degree view of its surroundings – with absolutely no blind spots.

It's powered by the Nvidia Drive system which allows it to operate completely autonomously…although it can also be remotely controlled, if necessary, from hundreds of kilometres away, using Phantom Auto teleoperation safety technology for reliable telecommunications.

Connected to intelligent routing software, providing it with real-time traffic data, the T-Log can adjust its route to avoid congestion on its programmed route well in advance.

Einride sees a fleet of T-Logs, co-ordinated by an intelligent routing system, optimising delivery time, battery life and energy consumption – making log transportation as efficient as possible.

Doing away with the driver's cab allows the T-Log to be smaller, increases loading capacity, improves flexibility, lowers production and operating costs and optimises energy consumption.

Einride CEO Robert Falck says that the company "is constantly pushing the boundaries of autonomous and all-electric vehicles in our ambition to lead the transition to a sustainable transportation system.

"With the T-log, we've created a vehicle that can withstand the rigours of a demanding environment. It is uncharted territory for us, but also an enormous market for battery-powered AVs."

Falck adds: "The driver's cab is what makes trucks expensive to produce – and having a driver in the cabin is what makes them expensive to operate.

"Remove the cabin and replace the driver with an operator who can monitor and remote-control several vehicles at once and costs can be reduced significantly. In addition, operating a vehicle from a distance allows for a much better working environment, as has already been demonstrated in industries like mining."

The company says it already has registered interest from several major global companies.