Mercedes-Benz Trucks has given a world premiere for its battery-electric eActros, a truck it says is suitable for heavy-duty short-radius distribution.
The first series-produced electric truck to bear a three-pointed star, the truck can carry up to four battery packs with its twin liquid-cooled motors powering it to a range of 400km.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks says it is ringing in a new era and simultaneously highlighting its clear desire to achieve CO2-neutral road-based goods transport.
“We have to acknowledge that transport is a part of the problem when it comes to climate change. At the same time, we can and we will be part of the solution,” said Karin Rådström, member of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck AG and responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The company also revealed it is fast tracking the development of its low-floor heavy duty waste management electric truck, the eEconic. That truck will go into series production later this year, and more battery-powered models are set to follow.
Rådström added: “We start with our eActros that has covered more than half a million kilometers on public roads. The eActros and its dedicated services are a big step for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and for our customers towards CO₂-neutral transport.”
The standard model of the eActros is planned will roll off the production line in Wörth am Rhein (Germany) from autumn 2021.
The firm said that feedback from its ‘eActros innovation fleet’ programme, which saw trucks tested in real life fleets, was critical in the development of the series-production model.
Alongside this, proven features such as MirrorCam and the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive have been adopted in the standard specification, said Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The eActros is now ready to assist customers of Mercedes-Benz Trucks on the road to CO2-neutral transport services.”
The battery of the eActros series-production model is equipped with either three or four battery packs, each with an energy capacity of around 105 kWh, the firm explains in its launch notes.
The maximum battery capacity of 420 kWh enables ranges of up to 400 kilometres to be achieved.
Both liquid-cooled motors generate a continuous output of 330 kW as well as a top performance of 400 kW. With conservative driving the recuperation enables the vehicle to recover electrical energy.
According to Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the energy obtained in this way during braking is fed back into the batteries of the eActros and is again made available for use by the drive system.
Meanwhile, the two integrated electric motors are claimed to offer great efficiency and a constant delivery of power with high starting torque: “The provision of immediate torque by the electric motors which are coupled with a two-speed transmission ensures powerful acceleration, impressive driving comfort and driving dynamics which enable more relaxed, low-stress driving than a conventional diesel-powered truck. Plus, the low centre of gravity is also favourable when it comes to cornering. In full-load operations, drivers enjoy a pleasant noise reduction of 10 dB inside the cab, which roughly corresponds to a halving of perceptible noise volume. Thanks to the low noise level, night-time deliveries are also possible. Contrary to a diesel truck, there are also noticeably fewer vibrations.”
The eActros can be charged with up to 160 kW: When connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need a little longer than 1 hour to charge from 20-80%.
Andreas von Wallfeld, head of Sales & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks added: “With a range of up to 400 km, a permissible gross vehicle weight with trailer of up to 40 tonnes and two powerful electric motors delivering a top performance of 400 kW, the eActros is perfectly equipped to handle the daily work of our customers.
“Alongside the truck, our digital services and the new eConsulting teams help our customers to make the switch to e-mobility as simply and seamlessly as possible – for example by answering questions on charging infrastructure, fleet integration or route planning.”