eActros goes the distance!

Highlight of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ stand

But, for now, we can reveal one of the world launches that will take place, namely that of the eActros LongHaul long-distance truck. In fact, the battery-electric eActros LongHaul long-distance truck – a leading contender for the next Truck Innovation Award – will be Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ trade show highlight at this year’s IAA Transportation.

This was revealed by Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, at the recent IAA International Press Workshop in Frankfurt. “We are ready to start decarbonising the transport sector. It is in our own hands to make it happen now,” she noted.

The eActros LongHaul is particularly significant in the trucking world because, until recently, there was a widely held belief that battery-electric trucks would be the future of distribution haulage in urban areas while trucks with hydrogen-powered fuel cells would be better for long-haul applications because they have longer ranges, heavier payloads and their refuelling is super-fast (meaning the truck spends more time on the road, earning revenue).

Hedging bets on both

Rather prudently, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is dipping its toes in both technologies. Back in 2020, it announced that it would develop the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, a fuel-cell truck with a range of up to 1,000 km while it would simultaneously work on the development of the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul. The former is no secret; a Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck fuel-cell prototype has been undergoing intensive testing – on both the in-house test track and public roads – since 2021.

But the latter – the eActros LongHaul – will be seen for the very first time in public at the IAA. What can we expect from this ground-breaking truck?

Well, firstly and foremostly, we will see the result of a determined effort; the company only announced the 40-ton truck in 2020. So, its team is really pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

Secondly, we will see a truck that’s ready to go public – not just at the IAA but also on the roads. The eActros LongHaul will be tested on public roads in Europe this year and near-production prototypes will go to customers for real-world testing next year. The truck will be available for sale in 2024.

Impressive credentials

But what about the technical specs? We will obviously get the full story at the IAA, but what we can tell you right now is that the long-haul truck will have a range of 500 km and it will be able to use high-performance charging – or so-called “megawatt charging”.

The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (often referred to as “LFP”). These are characterised by a long service life and more usable energy.

And what about downtime while the truck is being recharged? That’s minimal; the batteries can be charged from 20 to 80% 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 – means the truck can deliver ranges on par with conventional trucks. The vehicle will also be ideal for two-shift operations.

We are told (we have obviously yet to drive the truck) that the vehicle is also characterised by “a particularly well-balanced driveline for a very pleasant driving experience”. In addition, in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, the eActros LongHaul will feature the manufacturer’s numerous safety innovations.

Sensible investment

It’s far too early in the day to comment on the total cost of ownership; that will depend on so many different factors (not least of which are the cost of purchase or the monthly rental/leasing fee). But, looking at the cold hard facts, it looks as though it could be a sensible investment – well, certainly in Europe (let’s see about South Africa).

According to Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the lion’s share of long-distance transport applications in Europe do not require a range beyond the eActros LongHaul’s 500 km. In addition, legal restrictions on the driving times for truck drivers in Europe 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, the truck can easily be recharged.

Milestone on the road to CO₂-neutrality

Not surprisingly, the team from Mercedes-Benz Trucks is upbeat about the big reveal at the IAA. Says Rådström: “The electrification of heavy long-distance transport is the next milestone on our road to CO₂-neutrality. 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.” We look forward to seeing it too!