Mercedes Plays a Big Card with eActros 600

Mercedes-Benz Trucks unveils the series version of the first battery-electric long-haul truck adorned with the three-pointed star.

Almost all technical characteristics of the eActros 600 were already known thanks to a comprehensive and perfectly orchestrated teaser over several weeks. Beyond the announced 500 km range enabled by three battery packs of over 600 kWh (hence the designation 600), it is indeed the design of Mercedes’ new long-haul truck that is drawing attention today.

Visually, the electric tractor features a fundamentally new and streamlined design with clean lines and an aerodynamic shape. Goodbye to the famous grille and hello to a surface carefully designed to optimize airflow. An aerodynamic aspect that is crucial for this Normandy-style cab in motion and a significant energy-saving feature.

Mercedes long-haul without worries about charging

The eActros 600 guarantees a range of 500 km without needing a recharge. A 20% to 80% charge takes about 30 minutes thanks to megawatt charging. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries contain neither nickel nor cobalt and offer huge advantages in terms of lifespan and current flow. Mercedes has proven the validity of its technology by traveling 530 kilometers straight from Stuttgart (Mercedes headquarters in Germany) and South Tyrol, to Bolzano in Italy, passing through Austria. Once at the destination, the truck recharged and repeated the performance in the opposite direction, as if setting a land speed record at Bonneville (Utah) to rule out wind influence. Here, elevation changes are also excluded from the route. Ultimately, a total of 1060 km covered in less than 24 hours. The outbound trip took 7 hours. The recharge was a scheduled stop for the driver before resuming the journey.

The Tesla threat

Mercedes focuses its communication on profitability for fleet operators. The electric truck aims to set new standards, replacing the majority of diesel trucks in the long-haul segment in the long term. A market that Mercedes values highly and cannot afford to miss. In the United States, an even more formidable rival is rushing to complete the development of its electric truck: Tesla’s Semi. It offers astonishing performances: acceleration, autonomous driving capabilities, and a range of 1600 km within 24 hours. Electric vehicles are therefore no longer a fantasy or science fiction but key to decarbonizing the logistics universe.