This is the world’s best truck!
For the second consecutive year, an electric truck has clinched the prestigious International Truck of the Year (ITOY) award. The eActros 600 from Mercedes-Benz Trucks was voted 2025 International Truck of the Year by a jury of 24 editors and senior journalists from the global commercial vehicle press.
Presented at the IAA
The award was presented to Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, at the Stars of the Year awards banquet held during the IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany, on September 16. The accolade highlights the growing significance of electric trucks in the transport sector, emphasising innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in the industry.
Gianenrico Griffini, Chairman of International Truck of the Year, commented, "Mercedes-Benz Trucks designed the eActros 600 as an electric truck right from the start. This decision has put a state-of-the-art battery-electric vehicle (BEV) on the road, capable of fulfilling a wide range of long-haul missions."
Tough competition
The eActros 600 secured the award with 88 votes, beating fierce competition from Volvo Trucks' Aero range, which offers both electric and conventional powertrains, and the Iveco S-eWay electric tractor. In fact, five of the seven vehicles on this year's ITOY shortlist were battery-electric models, reflecting the accelerating energy transition among truck manufacturers and growing interest from European transport operators.
eActros 600 European Testing Tour
Mercedes-Benz Trucks organised an extensive European Testing Tour for the eActros 600, covering more than 15,000km in 2024. Journalists from across the continent participated in the tour, allowing them to experience the truck’s performance first-hand.
One of the key highlights during the testing tour was the truck's new ProCabin, which features advanced aerodynamics. With a protruding front section and smooth, curved surfaces, the ProCabin improves airflow by 9% compared to previous models, enhancing both efficiency and range.
Journalists were also impressed by the eActros 600’s powertrain, which consists of twin 400kW electric motors on the axle and three LFP battery packs (207kWh each). This setup allows the truck to deliver smooth acceleration across three driving programmes while providing a quiet, vibration-free experience for drivers.
Impressive range
The eActros 600 boasts a total installed battery capacity of over 600kWh, enabling a 40-tonne tractor-semitrailer combination to achieve a range of more than 500km without requiring intermediate recharging. This impressive range addresses a common challenge in the electric truck market, namely making long-haul electric trucks viable for widespread use.
The eActros 600’s range, combined with its sustainability benefits, practicality, and driver comfort, contributed significantly to its victory. As the ITOY jury noted, the truck is not only a powerful electric vehicle but also seamlessly integrates into existing transport operations. Unlike many electric trucks limited to short-haul operations, the eActros 600 is suitable for longer distances, broadening its appeal to more transport companies.
Growing importance of electrification
The success of the eActros 600 at the ITOY awards highlights the growing shift towards electrification in the transport industry. As governments worldwide implement stricter emissions regulations and promote clean energy, manufacturers are facing increased pressure to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional diesel trucks.
Electric trucks, once considered niche, are now becoming more mainstream. Major industry players, including Volvo, Scania, Iveco and MAN, have all launched electric models in recent years.
However, while electric trucks may (almost) be a dime a dozen, challenges remain – particularly within the areas of charging infrastructure and battery range. While the eActros 600 has demonstrated that electric trucks can handle long-haul routes, many fleet operators remain concerned about the availability of charging stations and the ability to recharge quickly.
Sign of things to come?
However, as battery technology improves and investment in charging infrastructure grows around the world, electric trucks like the eActros 600 are expected to play a crucial role in transforming the transport sector.
“The future of commercial transportation is undoubtedly electric, and the eActros 600 is paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. With its impressive range, efficiency, and seamless integration into transport operations, the eActros 600 stands as a shining example of what is possible with electric trucks.
“As the industry continues to evolve, vehicles like the eActros 600 will be instrumental in reducing emissions and helping the world transition to a more sustainable future,” concludes Griffini.
