Mercedes-Benz Trucks is tooling up its manufacturing plants in Europe to be ready for the launch of a new long haul electric heavy truck with a 500km range in October this year
The world premiere of Mercedes-Benz trucks answer to the long-haul electric challenge has been scheduled for October 10, 2023, as the Germany giant gears up for production in Europe.
The truck, intended to be the “most economical long distance truck from Mercedes-Benz Trucks compared to the conventional diesel Actros” will be produced at Mercedes-Benz plants at Wörth, Mannheim, Gaggenau and Kassel.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks CEO Karin Rådström says the eActros 600 will set new a new standard for long haul work.
“The eActros 600, produced in Wörth, is able to replace the majority of diesel trucks in the important long-haul segment, as it sets new standards in terms of cost-effectiveness for our customers,” Rådström says
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The new eActros 600 prototype
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It also offers huge potential for reducing CO2 emissions. I am convinced that this truck will define the new benchmark in road freight transport.”
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific vice president Andrew Assimo says it is exciting to see the trucks coming to market.
“We’re thrilled to see the amazing eActros 600 prime mover will soon hit the road in Europe,” Assimo says.
“We will certainly be testing eActros prime movers locally in the near future and will be able to provide more details about them closer to their introduction.”
The battery-electric truck is being marketed as a series version of the eActros LongHaul.
It first appeared as a concept prototype at IAA Transportation 2022 and has since been tested in Finland at the beginning of this year.
Mercedes-Benz say a fleet of around 50 prototype vehicles is currently being built, which are expected to be released early for practical testing with customers over the coming months.
At the same time as the testing is being undertaken, the group’s four production plants will be tooling up for series production of the eActros 600 or its components in preparation for going live in 2024.
The eActros 600 will be produced on the existing assembly line at the Wörth production plant, parallel to and flexibly alongside the trucks to be equipped with a diesel drive.
The electric drive components will also be installed at that site.
Mercedes-Benz plants Mannheim, Gaggenau and Kassel will supply key components for the trucks.
One of the stand-out components is a new e-axle generation for the eActros 600 that has been specially developed for use in long-distance haulage.
A launch statement on the new truck by Mercedes-Benz Trucks says the business has ramped up training on electromobility systems with about 2,700 employees having already undertaken high-voltage handling courses.
The new truck is expected to have an update cab exterior look, with the interior having a makeover too.
Three battery packs provide the eActros 600 with an installed total capacity of over 600 kWh in series production and two electric motors as part of the new e-axle generate a continuous output of 400 kW as well as a peak output of over 600 kW.
In addition to the tractor unit, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also produce rigid variants of the eActros 600.
The batteries used in the eActros 600 employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). Mercedes-Benz Trucks says these are characterized, above all, by a long service life and more usable energy.
They say the aim for the batteries of the production eActros 600 is for them to be capable of being charged from 20 to 80 per cent in well under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks say the concept for battery-electric long-distance transport is to offer customers a holistic solution consisting of vehicle technology, consulting, charging infrastructure and services with the eActros 600 promoted as being the right choice for customers in terms of profitability, sustainability and reliability.