Mercedes-Benz Trucks to unveil the eActros Long Distance electric truck

The battery-electric eActrosLongHaul long-distance truck will be Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ trade show highlight at this year’s IAA Transportation in September in Hanover.

The manufacturer announced the 40-tonne truck in 2020 and presents the “concept prototype” exactly two years later for the first time.

The eActrosLongHaul to be shown at IAA provides a preview of the design theme of the series-production vehicle. The tractor unit is also part of the eActrosLongHaul test fleet. The first prototypes are already undergoing intensive testing and the eActrosLongHaul will be tested on public roads this year.

In the coming year, near-production prototypes will get to customers for real-world use testing. Series readiness is planned for 2024. On a single battery charge the eActrosLongHaul will have a range of around 500 kilometres. The e-truck will enable high-performance charging – or so-called “megawatt charging.”

In addition to the eActrosLongHaul, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will present further new battery-electric trucks at IAA. The eActros for heavy-duty distribution transport has been in series production at the Wörth plant since October 2021. The eEconic for municipal use will follow in July. Mercedes-Benz Trucks is pursuing the goal of increasing the proportion of locally CO2-neutral new vehicles in Europe to more than 50% by 2030.

Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The electrification of heavy long-distance transport is the next milestone on our road to CO2-neutrality. The eActrosLongHaul is a battery-electric vehicle which is planned to be economically feasible for our customers. My team and I look forward to presenting this innovative truck to our customers and the public in September.”

As part of its pre-launch communications for IAA, Mercedes-Benz Trucks published the first teaser images of the eActrosLongHaul concept prototype (shown here) and announced further technical specifications planned for the production vehicle.

The batteries used in the eActrosLongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). These are characterised, above all, by a long service life and more usable energy. The batteries can be charged from 20% to 80% in well under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt. The long range on a single charge in combination with megawatt charging results in overall ranges on a par with conventional trucks and thus enables two-shift operations.

The vehicle is also characterised by a particularly well-balanced driveline for a very pleasant driving experience. In addition, the eActrosLongHaul features the manufacturer’s numerous safety innovations. The core of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks concept for battery-electric long-distance transport is to offer customers a holistic solution consisting of vehicle technology, consulting, charging infrastructure and services.

Advantages

Battery-electric drives have the highest efficiency among alternative drives. The eActrosLongHaul therefore provides a high level of energy efficiency with its purely battery-electric drive. This gives transport companies significant economic advantages in eActrosLongHaul’s intended use scenarios.

The lion’s share of long-distance transport applications in transporters’ operational practices do not require a range beyond the approximately 500km the eActrosLongHaul makes possible on a single charge.

In addition, legal restrictions on the driving times for truck drivers limit the need for longer ranges, depending on the case. For example, truck drivers in the EU must take a minimum of a 45-minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of driving. During this time energy for the remaining route can be recharged. The eActrosLongHaul is therefore the right choice for transport companies when used regularly on routes that can be planned, given appropriate distances and charging options.