Arrow Transport Logistics and Quarantine Services has launched a new electric truck trial alongside Port of Brisbane that will see a Mercedes-Benz eActros prime mover deliver containers around the port as an A-Double combination.
The eActros features three lithium-ion battery packs with a total capacity of 336kWh and can operate at a GCM of 40 tonnes.
It has up to 200 kilometres of range in a typical work case.
Testing has also found the vehicle to be 10 decibels quieter in the cab, which means perceptible in-cabin volume drops by around half when compared to a traditional diesel prime mover.
Arrow Transport Managing Director Craig Webster says he is excited to see the results of the eActros in the business’ Brisbane operations.
“Sustainability is a real area of focus for Arrow, so we were very excited to pursue this opportunity to put an all-electric Mercedes-Benz to work with Arrow at the Port of Brisbane,” he says.
“We are quite excited to trial a truck that can operate on green energy carting containers while producing zero emissions.”
The Mercedes-Benz eActros has earned international recognition for its status as one of the leaders of the new generation of electric trucks.
The eActros 600 was named the 2025 International Truck of the Year by a jury of 24 editors and senior journalists from the commercial vehicle press in Europe.
International Truck of the Year is presented to a truck launched in the previous 12 months that has made the largest contribution to road transport efficiency.
It was just the second time an electric truck was named the winner of the award.
European construction of the eActros 600 model commenced towards the end of 2024, with the first models being delivered to local German customers at the end of the year.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Vice President Sales, Marketing and Operations Andrew Assimo says he is pleased to see “the most advanced electric truck on the Australian market” integrated into Arrow Transport’s operations.
“The eActros is a great example of design, with its advanced technology incorporating an integrated motor as part of the drive axle, but it is also a practical workhorse,” Assimo says.
“We love to see the eActros hard at work, delivering freight and producing zero exhaust emissions in Australian conditions for customers who are looking to advance their sustainability programs.
“It’s the most advanced electric truck in the Australian market and we know it will make a great impression at the Port of Brisbane.
In addition to its trio of lithium-ion batteries and reduced noise capacity, the eActros also features two liquid-cooled motors integrated into the driver axle.
It has 536hp (400kW) peak power output and 443hp (330kW) continuous output.
A five-stage recuperation braking system works like an engine brake to both spare the service brakes and recoup electricity, which is fed back into the batteries.
It also comes with Lane-Keeping Assist, Attention Assist and Stability Control Assist, and tyre pressure monitoring, with the ability to use front and side radars – and a front camera – to automatically brake for pedestrians and other vehicles if the driver is distracted.
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