Mercedes-Benz Trucks says it is ready to release a prototype of a battery-electric long-haul truck for carrying freight, which will be ready for road tests later this year for production in 2024.
The battery-electric eActros long-distance truck will be part of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ trade show highlight at this year’s IAA Transportation in September in Hanover, Germany. Other manufacturers such as Tesla also have been plotting to build battery-powered heavy-duty trucks.
“The electrification of heavy long-distance transport is the next milestone on our road to CO2-neutrality,” said Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “The eActros LongHaul 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.”
Plans for truck moved quickly
Plans for the 40-ton truck were first revealed in 2020 and the eActros LongHaul to be shown at IAA offers a preview of the design theme of the series-production vehicle.
The first prototypes are already undergoing intensive testing and the eActros LongHaul will be tested on public roads this year. In the coming year, near- production prototypes will go to customers for real-world use testing.
On a single battery charge the eActros LongHaul will have a range of around 500 kilometers, or about 320 miles. The e-truck will enable high-performance charging — or so-called “megawatt charging.” The commercial introduction of the eActros LongHaul is scheduled for 2024.
In addition to the eActros LongHaul, 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.
New type of battery key to EV truck
The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). These are characterized, above all, by a long service life and more usable energy. The batteries can be charged from 20 to 80 percent 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 characterized by a balanced driveline for a very pleasant driving experience.
In addition, the eActros LongHaul 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. The eActros LongHaul should be the right choice for customers in terms of profitability, sustainability and reliability.
The largest share of long-distance transport applications in transporters’ operational practices do not require a range beyond the approximately 500 kilometers the eActros LongHaul 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 eActros LongHaul is therefore the right choice for transport companies when used regularly on routes that can be planned, given appropriate distances and charging options.
