Hamburg, Germany: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the series version of its battery-electric long-haul truck, the Mercedes-Benz E-Actros 600.
The truck will define the new standard in terms of technology, sustainability, design and profitability, Mercedes-Benz says.
The high battery capacity of more than 600 kilowatt hours – hence the model designation 600 – and a new, particularly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house, enable the e-truck to achieve a range of 500 kilometres without intermediate charging. But it can provide 1,000 kilometres per day with intermediate charging during prescribed driver breaks.
Gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes with a payload of around 22 tonnes with standard trailer.
Karin Rådström, chief executive, Mercedes-Benz Trucks says: “The E-Actros 600 stands for the transformation of road freight transport towards CO2 neutraility like no other truck with a three-pointed star.
“It is characterised 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.”
Sales of the electric truck start this year. The start of series production is planned for the end of 2024. In addition to the tractor unit, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also produce rigid variants of the E-Actros 600 from market launch, offering customers further possible applications for all-electric transport. A fleet of around 50 prototype vehicles is currently being built, some of which are also to be put into practical testing with customers in a next step.
“The electrification of long-distance trucking will change the business model of transport companies and create opportunities for competitive advantage on several levels. For example, more and more customers of transport companies are attaching importance to CO2-neutral transportation of their goods – providers who cannot meet this requirement will miss out. However, the effects of electrification also go beyond the mere purchase of electric trucks as a replacement for diesels and the build-up of charging infrastructure,” Mercedes-Benz says.
“Many fleet operators have to calculate very accurately with profit margins in the low single-digit per cent range. If, due to lower electricity prices or toll payments, they are able to earn more money with every kilometre driven on electric power than a diesel truck, it will be worthwhile for them to deploy the eActros 600 for as many orders as possible. This can even be the case if drivers purchase electricity on the road at a higher price than at their own depot, as costs may still be generally significantly lower than for diesel trucks. First, this means that the higher investment in the electric vehicle pays for itself more quickly and, second, they can operate increasingly economically in this way,” Mercedes-Benz says.
The E-Actros 600 has the same durability as a comparable conventional heavy-duty long-haul Actros. That means up to 1.2 million kilometres in 10 years of operation. After this period of use, the battery state of health should still be over 80%, Mercedes-Benz says.
