Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is 2025 International Truck of the Year
Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is 2025 International Truck of the Year
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, a heavy-duty battery-electric vehicle (BEV), has been named the 2025 International Truck of the Year (IToY). The award was presented to Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, during the IAA Transportation Press Day in Hanover, Germany. This accolade marks the 10th time Mercedes-Benz Trucks has won the title since the award’s inception in 1977.
The eActros 600 secured the top spot with 88 votes, seeing off strong competition from Volvo Trucks’ Aero range (which offers both electric and conventional powertrains) and Iveco’s S-eWay electric tractor. The IToY award is presented annually to the truck launched in the previous 12 months that has made the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. The evaluation criteria include technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental footprint, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
This year’s award is particularly notable as it is only the second time an electric truck has won the award, highlighting the growing momentum of the energy transition within the commercial vehicle industry. Of the seven vehicles on this year’s shortlist, five were battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) with zero tailpipe emissions, underscoring the increasing interest from European transport operators in sustainable transport solutions.
Technological advancements
The eActros 600 was designed from the ground up as an electric truck, a decision that has resulted in a vehicle capable of fulfilling a wide range of long-haul missions. The numerous IToY journalists who participated in the 15,000-km eActros 600 European Testing Tour in 2024 praised the truck’s advanced aerodynamics, particularly its new ProCabin driver’s cab. The ProCabin’s design, featuring a protruding front section and smooth, curved surfaces, improves airflow by 9% compared to the current model. This aerodynamic efficiency is crucial for battery-electric trucks in long-distance haulage, as reduced air resistance directly impacts energy consumption and range.
During the European Testing Tour, two near-production prototypes of the eActros 600 were put to the test during a nearly seven-week-long drive, covering more than 15,000km across 22 European countries. This was the largest test drive in the history of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Each of the two electric trucks operated with a total train weight of 40 tonnes. Throughout the tour, which relied exclusively on public charging stations, the vehicles showcased their impressive energy efficiency. One of the eActros 600 prototypes, equipped with specialised consumption measurement technology, recorded an average driving consumption of 103kWh/100km. When converted to the energy content of diesel, this is equivalent to a consumption of approximately 10 litres/100km – a figure unachievable with a conventionally powered truck. On average, around 25% of the eActros 600’s driving consumption was covered by recuperated energy.
The eActros 600 is powered by a drivetrain consisting of twin 400-kW electric motors integrated into an electric axle, and three LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs, each with a capacity of 207kWh. The electric motors deliver smooth acceleration and operate in a quiet, vibration-free environment, contributing to an enhanced driving experience. The truck offers three different driving programmes, allowing drivers to optimise performance based on the specific conditions they encounter.
Impressive range and efficiency
One of the key factors that impressed the IToY jury was the eActros 600’s range. With over 600kWh of installed battery capacity, the truck can achieve a range of over 500km on a single charge, even when operating as a standard 40-tonne tractor-semitrailer combination.
During the testing tour, the truck was exclusively charged at public charging points, and the data collected suggested that ranges of over 600km without intermediate charging would have been possible under certain conditions. This range, combined with the potential for intermediate charging during mandatory driver breaks, means that the eActros 600 could cover well over 1,000km in a day, making it a viable option for long-haul transport.
“State-of-the-art BEV”
Summing up the jury’s decision, Gianenrico Griffini, chairperson of the IToY jury, stated: “Mercedes-Benz Trucks designed the eActros 600 as an electric truck right from the start. This decision has put a state-of-the-art BEV on the road capable of fulfilling a wide range of long-haul missions.” His comments reflect the jury’s recognition of the eActros 600 as a significant step forward in the development of battery-electric trucks for long-distance transport.
Rådström was ecstatic at the truck’s victory. “We are proud and delighted that the jury has chosen our eActros 600 as the 2025 International Truck of the Year. Almost all of the jury members have already tested the eActros 600 behind the wheel on roads across Europe and have been able to personally convince themselves of its performance. This is a very special day for our team, because we owe this leading position of the truck to the tireless efforts of our colleagues,” she said.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has planned the series launch of the eActros 600 for the end of November 2024 at its Wörth plant, with the first customer vehicles expected to be manufactured and registered in 2024.
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