Mercedes-Benz Trucks recently unveiled the production-version of the brand’s first battery-electric long-haul truck ‘eActros 600’ for global markets. The heavy-duty electric truck is aimed at setting a new standard in road freight transport in terms of technology, sustainability, design and profitability for e-fleet operators, the company claims. While the truck had only had rumours of long range, the manufacturer has now confirmed numbers.
Electric range for long-haul trucking has always been difficult for both manufacturers and fleet operators, due to limitations of the battery technology. So far, electric trucks have been sufficient in regional applications. However, now Mercedes is following in the footsteps of Volvo Trucks in offering practical range for long haul. While long haul electric trucks have seen significant improvements in recent years, payload and charging infrastructure are still issues to be resolved for certain markets, namely North America.
But the e-truck technology and packaging scenario is changing in a big way. Mercedes-Benz’s latest 44-tons (GVW) electric truck boasts a payload capacity of 22 tons, despite a bigger 600 kWh battery pack. This enables the truck to offer a driving range of about 500 kms in single charge without need for charging stopovers.
Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said, “The eActros 600 stands for the transformation of road freight transport towards CO2-neutrality like no other truck with a three-pointed star. It is characterized by highly innovative drive technology that can offer our customers particularly high energy efficiency and thus profitability. This makes entry into e-mobility even more attractive for fleet operators.”
The manufacturer claims that the eActros 600 can clock more than 1,000 kms per day with intermediate charging, even without “DC super-fast charging” that will be enabled in the truck range later. With faster charging, the truck can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes at a suitable charging station with an output of around 1 MW.
In terms of battery technology, the eActros 600 has three battery packs, each with 207 kWh capacity, together offering an installed total capacity of 621 kWh. The batteries are based on lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP) and are characterized by a long service life.
According to Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the battery packs can last up to 1.2 million kilometers for a span of ten years of operation. After this period of use, the battery state of health should still be over 80 percent. Moreover, in contrast to other battery cell technologies, approximately 95 percent of the installed capacity can be used with LFP technology. This makes a higher range with the same installed battery capacity possible, the company adds.
The eActros 600 will be produced on the existing assembly line at the company’s truck assembly plant in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, alongside the assembly of diesel trucks. Electric drive components will be sourced from the Mercedes-Benz plants in Mannheim, Gaggenau and Kassel.
