eActros breaks cover!
eActros breaks cover!
The incredible eActros has been launched to the world’s media – and we were there!
The eActros from Mercedes-Benz Trucks is the first fully electric series-production truck bearing the three-pointed star – and it will roll out onto the roads of Europe in October this year.
Testing of the eActros began back in 2018 – and customers appear to love the truck. Take Wim Roks, fleet manager at Simon Loos in the Netherlands, for instance: “Our first experience with the eActros has been very, very positive. People turn around to look at it and some people give you an unexpected thumbs up in the middle of town. With this truck, Mercedes-Benz has delivered its know-how and usual service to ensure that the vehicle works with the charging infrastructure.”
The truck – which offers popular features such as MirrorCam and the Multimedia Cockpit – is designed for heavy-duty short-radius distribution. It will cost roughly three times the price of an equivalent diesel-powered truck but TCO parity could be achieved in some markets (this depends on local energy prices and government incentives).
The battery of the eActros series-production model is equipped with either three or four battery packs, each with an energy capacity of about 105 kWh. The maximum battery capacity of 420 kWh2 enables a range of up to 400 km. The drive unit features a rigid electric axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission. Both liquid-cooled motors generate a continuous output of 330 kW as well as a top performance of 400 kW.
Like most electric vehicles, the eActros offers oodles of torque (available immediately) and terrific acceleration. Plus, the low centre of gravity is 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. There are also noticeably fewer vibrations than from a diesel truck.
When connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need just over an hour to charge from 20% to 80%.
Numerous features and systems in the eActros ensure a high level of road safety for all concerned. For example, special crash elements with an aluminium profile protect the batteries in the event of a side-on crash, while sensors integrated into these can detect a crash scenario. In such an instance, the high-voltage (HV) battery can be automatically isolated from the rest of the vehicle. The driver can also actuate the HV shutoff at any time in the cab.
The truck will be produced in Mercedes-Benz Trucks’s largest truck assembly plant in Wörth am Rhein. Initially, it will be available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Further markets – South Africa included – will follow. You can expect to see the eActros on our roads by 2024/2025.
“The global debut of this ground-breaking vehicle was certainly an electrifying and sensational moment for us locally,” says Maretha Gerber, head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Southern Africa. “Hats off to our Mercedes-Benz Truck counterparts for this revolutionary vehicle that sets the brand apart. This is certainly a giant step towards an electrically driven future, and we are proud to be a part of a brand that is continuously at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for customers. As we wait in great anticipation to officially usher in this truck of the future to the South African market, we look forward to possible customer demonstrations and trial opportunities.”
Published by
focusmagsa
