By Josephina C. Sumner
At the recent 2024 International Motor Show Germany, Daimler Trucks unveiled the new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600: a battery-electric, long-haulage truck that can travel 500 kilometres on a single charge.
As the truck’s electric drive axle has been designed for maximum energy efficiency, it has a far longer range than the current average, which stands at about 270 kilometres. The truck’s impressive 600 kWh battery also has the power to cover over 1,000 kilometres per day with regular stops to recharge.
The eActros ultimately aims to “decarbonise long-distance haulage”, which currently collectively generates over 25% of the transportation industry’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Test run showcases eActros’ energy efficiency
In the run-up to its commercial launch, two eActros prototypes were driven 15,269 and 15,939 kilometres respectively over a forty-five-day summer test tour — which turned out to be the biggest test run in the history of Mercedes-Benz trucks.
The two trucks demonstrated an impressive average energy consumption rate of 103 kWh per 100 kilometres, although this changed depending on the landscape and weather conditions.
As the eActros is also outfitted with a regenerative braking system, the prototypes were able to recover energy spent on the road — roughly the equivalent of 25% the total energy consumed in total.
Real-world haulage capabilities
During the test run, the trucks each hauled 40-ton gross combination mass across twenty two countries, all with different climates and topographies. Their batteries were periodically charged at public charging stations.
The test therefore showcased the eActros’s abilities along real-world haulage routes and proved its potential to replace diesel trucks over the long term.
Indeed, electric vehicles are already increasingly popular as they generate zero emissions and save the average driver between 6,000 USD and 12,000 USD over the vehicle’s lifetime compared to a traditional gas-powered vehicle, Consumer Reports reveals.
Some of the most popular electric vehicles also have impressive ranges. The Tesla Model S, for example, has a range of up to 394 miles on a single charge, whereas that rises to 480 miles for the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Charges from 20%-80% battery capacity within thirty-minutes
The eActros can charge from 20% up to 80% in just under half an hour at charging stations with one-megawatt outputs. This is an improvement on the current average charge-time for long-haul trucks, which is roughly three hours with use of 350kW chargers.
As over 50% of long-distance commercial drives in Europe are under 500 kilometres, the eActros can then be quickly charged at the depot and unloading points during routes, as demonstrated during the test run.
However, for longer routes, public charging infrastructure still needs to be strengthened in order to better prepare for the inevitable long-distance electric trucking future.
Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck said:Our eActros 600 is a strong alternative to a diesel truck. Now it is imperative for governments, the energy sector, and industry to act together to drive forward the expansion of public charging infrastructure.
TruckCharge to support transition to electric
To complement the upcoming release of the eAcrot, Daimler Truck is also set to launch TruckCharge: a “power package for eMobility”.
TruckCharge is designed to be a comprehensive solution consisting of e-mobility consultations, charging services, fleet management support, and infrastructure financing — all to make it easier for fleets to make the switch to electric.
The Fleetboard Charge Management provides fleet operators with a quick and easy overview of their fleet that can be viewed on a tablet or smartphone. Operators can use this to control charging, for example, and coordinate drivers and vehicles for optimal efficiency.
In the future, Daimler also plans to release “software-defined” electric trucks. These highly intelligent vehicles will be equipped with the latest safety technology (such as active brake and sideguard assist) and will be capable of over-the-air updates. This digital transformation is designed to improve vehicle safety, efficiency, and ease of use.
Series production of the eActros 600 is slated to begin at the Mercedes-Benz Wörth plant at the end of November. A little over 2,000 orders have already been placed as part of the growing push to decarbonise long-haul fleets.
