Stuttgart, Germany, Mercedes-Benz begins production of a battery-powered E-Actros this year.
The vehicle has been trialled with customer trials with more than half a million kilometres driven on roads during tests, the company says.
Andreas von Wallfeld, head of sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “We first presented a concept for a heavy-duty electric truck back in 2016. Only two years later, we put our thoroughly further developed prototypes to a tough test by renowned customers.
“The E-Actros that we will now unveil is the final result of all the experience we gained on the road and on test rigs. It is a reflection of the innovative strength of our Mercedes-Benz brand when it comes to alternative drive systems. At the same time, the vehicle is also the result of our close and intensive cooperation with our customers. Thanks to intensive practical testing, we will launch a vehicle that is completely tailored to the customers’ needs and offer it along with an extensive range of services. We are all looking forward to the world premiere on June 30.”
Series production of the E-Actros is scheduled to begin at the Wörth am Rhein plant in the second half of this year.
In two test phases, almost 20 test customers used an E-Actros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets. In both the 18-tonne and 25-tonne versions, the eActros fulfilled challenging tasks in a variety of sectors. Among other things, it transported chilled goods in an electrically-powered refrigerated box body to supermarket branches, served as a plant vehicle to supply components for production, handled the replacement of waste containers, and used a tank body to carry fly ash for the production of concrete. Outside Germany, the battery-powered truck was also tested by customers in Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Daimler Truck is pursuing a sustainable corporate strategy and aims to offer only new vehicles that are CO2-neutral in driving operation (“tank-to-wheel”) in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039, its says. “As early as 2022, Daimler Truck wants its vehicle portfolio to include series-produced vehicles with battery-powered drive systems in the main sales regions Europe, the United States and Japan. Beginning in 2027, the company wants to supplement its portfolio by adding series-produced hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050”.
The digital world premiere will be streamed on June 30th at 10:00 am CEST:
https://newtrucknewera.mercedes-benz-trucks.com/
