Mercedes-Benza battery-electric long-distance truck designed to accelerate the retirement of diesel equivalents in the near future eActros 600It stepped into the electric trucking arena by introducing .
Like Tesla, which attracted attention by leaving behind its competitors such as Nikola, BYD and Volvo in real-world range tests, Mercedes eActros 600 It also has an official range of 500 kilometers before requiring recharging. This impressive range is achieved thanks to the integration of three lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP) battery packs, each with a capacity of 207 kWh. With a gross combined weight of up to 44 tonnes, the truck is equipped with an 800-volt electric axle and two electric motors with a peak output of 600 kW each and can travel more than 1,000 kilometers in a single day. This is possible with intermediate charging during legally mandated driver breaks, even before megawatt charging infrastructure was widely available. Mercedes-Benz claims that the eActros 600 can be charged from 20% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes when the necessary charging infrastructure is in place.
While these developments point to progress in the commercial electric vehicle industry, they also pave the way for improved range and charging infrastructure in standard electric vehicles, facilitating greater adoption of electric vehicles compared to hybrids.
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Mercedes-Benz, which has years of experience in the truck industry, is determined about the success of its electric truck. eActros 600 compared to a similar diesel Actros by approx. 40% CO2 savings underlines that it provides When powered entirely by renewable energy sources, this figure exceeds 80% over the truck’s ten-year product life cycle from raw material extraction.
Additionally, the eActros 600 is designed to meet the same durability standards as a conventional heavy-duty long-haul Actros. Ten years of LFP battery technology 1.2 million kilometers It is expected to go a long way and battery health will remain above 80% even after this period.
The eActros 600 is also equipped with the latest safety systems, including six sensors (four short-range radars and one long-range radar), complemented by a multifunction camera in the windshield. These systems work together with various active emergency braking assist technologies to support semi-automatic driving.
Power take-off points have been integrated, making the eActros 600 a versatile alternative to its diesel equivalent, enabling it to operate equipment such as tilting, sliding floor or silo semi-trailers, as well as refrigeration units.
In the race for superior range, Tesla surpassed rivals such as Volvo, Freightliner and Nikola Tre BEV, attracting attention by covering more than 1,000 miles in a single day during recent tests. However, range is not the only determinant in freight logistics; cost effectiveness and profitability as well as scalability to meet customer demand are equally vital considerations.
Mercedes notes that around 60% of long-haul trips for European truck customers are shorter than 500 kilometers, so charging infrastructure at warehouses and loading/unloading points is sufficient for such scenarios. Ultimately, while extending range remains important, it must be compatible with the overall affordability and practicality of electric trucking.
The eActros 600 is currently in the prototype phase with around fifty vehicles under construction, some of which will undergo practical testing with the first customers in the near future. Mass production is planned to start by the end of 2024.