Milton Keynes, UK: UK truck operators can order right-hand drive versions of the Mercedes-Benz E-Actros. Deliveries to UK customers begin in May.
The truck is aimed at heavy-duty, short-haul distribution, and has a 249 mile (400km) range(1). It is now available to order as a 4×2 or 6×2 chassis.
Initially orders for the E-Actros orders can only be placed with the manufacturer as with its 7.5-tonne Fuso E-Canter. But dealers are expected to get involved in sales later. At this stage dealers are gearing up to service the trucks with 17 locations accredited and more set to follow in the coming months, Mercedes says.
The E-Actros comes as a 4×2 at 19-tonnes gross and three battery packs, and as a six-wheeled 27-tonner with either three or four battery packs.
Each battery pack has an installed energy capacity of 112kWh and a useable capacity of 97kWh. The E-Actros 300 with three battery packs can travel up to 300km, while the four-battery pack E-Actros 400 achieves up to 400km. This vehicle range is based on ideal conditions, at 20 degrees, and partially loaded.
The 4×2 chassis with three battery packs offers a maximum body and payload allowance of 10.6 tonnes – this rises to 17.7 tonnes in the 6×2 chassis with three batteries, or 16.6 tonnes for the longer-range version of the 6×2 with four battery packs.
The drive unit comprises a rigid electric axle with a pair of integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission. Both liquid-cooled motors generate a continuous output of 330kW (443 hp) and peak power of 400kW (536 hp). Electrical energy recovered through recuperation while braking is fed into the batteries for use by the drive system.
The electric motors offer constant power with high starting torque for acceleration. Noise – is roughly half that a conventional diesel truck. The truck has air suspension and is no higher than a standard vehicle.
The E-Actros can be charged with up to 160kW – when connected to a 400A DC charging station three battery packs need just over an hour to recharge from 20 to 80% capacity.
Low operational noise makes the E-Actros ideal for night-time deliveries in built-up areas.
Standard equipment, meanwhile, includes MirrorCam, Multimedia Cockpit, Active Brake Assist 5, Sideguard Assist and an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System.
“The eActros is a new truck for a new era. It represents an important step towards our goal of offering an entirely CO2-neutral product range by 2039, which we’ll achieve using a combination of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology,” Ross Paterson, head of special trucks, Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK, said.
“We are committed to supporting our customers by making their transitions from diesel to electric power as easy and seamless as possible. To this end we’ll provide comprehensive product training for drivers and operators.”
