Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Trucks has launched its battery-electric eActros heavy-duty distribution haulage model.
“….Our eActros has covered more than half a million kilometers on public roads”, said Daimler Truck’s Karin Raedstroem “The eActros and its dedicated services are a big step for [us] and for our customers towards CO2-neutral transport.”
The truckmaker showed a concept heavy-duty distribution haulage truck for urban areas at the commercial vehicles show in Hanover in 2016 and practical testing of 10 prototypes with customers in Germany and other European countries began in 2018.
“Development focused on the partnership with our customers. Everything that we learned from the innovation fleet is now being incorporated in series production. Compared with the prototypes, several features such as range, drive power and safety have been considerably improved,” said marketing chief Andreas von Wallfeld.
The eActros has a drive unit with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission.
Depending on version, there are three or four battery packs each with capacity of around 105 kWh. With maximum capacity of 420 kWh, a range of up to 400km (250 miles) is realistic. The EV truck can be charged with up to 160 kW – when connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need about an hour to charge from 20% to 80%.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has incorporated the eActros into a comprehensive system which includes consultant and service products for customers to ensure the best possible vehicle utilisation, optimisation of total costs and the setting-up of a charging infrastructure. The EV features high digitisation and connectivity.
Standard equipment includes MirrorCam, Sideguard Assist S1R and the fifth generation of Active Brake Assist (ABA) with pedestrian detection.
From autumn 2021 the new EV model will be produced in Woerth am Rhein following construction of a new assembly line.
Launch models will be sold in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Further markets will follow.