A 1,000 kW load for the Mercedes eActros 600

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has achieved the feat of charging a prototype of the eActros 600 at 1,000 kW for the first time.

This technical feat was accomplished by Mercedes at a one-megawatt charging station at the company’s internal development and testing center in Wörth am Rhein.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has been heavily involved in the development of the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard. The MCS system plays a central role in public charging along major transportation routes. Testing of the communication interface between the vehicle and the charging station, defined within the MCS standardization framework, will now continue.

The start of series production of the eActros 600 is scheduled for the end of 2024. In addition to CCS charging up to 400 kW, the eActros 600 will later support megawatt charging at 1,000 kW once it becomes available. Customers can order pre-installation for this purpose. The MCS technology should be able to be installed later on these models.

The high battery capacity of over 600 kWh, hence the model designation 600, and a new internally developed electric drive axle enable the eActros 600 to achieve a range of 500 kilometers without intermediate charging. This means the electric truck can travel significantly more than 1,000 kilometers per day.

Approximately 60% of long-distance trips for Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ European customers are less than 500 kilometers anyway, meaning that infrastructure at depots and loading and unloading points is sufficient. For all other uses, the continued expansion of public charging infrastructure should make the electric truck viable for long-distance transportation in Europe.