World debut of eActros takes place
The world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz eActros has taken place – and, of course, we joined the virtual press conference. Why is this new truck such big news? What does it cost? When will South African transport operators get it? We have the answers to these – and many other – questions.
First and foremost, what applications and masses are we talking about?
The eActros is designed for what Mercedes-Benz Trucks calls “heavy-duty short-radius distribution”. It is available as a two or three-axle truck with 19 or 27 tonnes permissible gross weight. Mercedes Benz Trucks puts the permissible gross weight with trailer of the standard eActros at 40 tonnes.
When is it being launched and when will the actual trucks go to customers?
The first eActros will roll off the production line on October 1 this year, with deliveries to 12 European countries starting immediately.
What about South Africa?
It will come here – eventually. During the press conference, executives from Mercedes-Benz Trucks said that other markets – including South Africa – are of interest. You can expect to see the eActros on our roads by 2024/2025.
Where is it being built and how many will be produced?
The eActros is being built in the Wörth plant alongside trucks with a conventional drivetrain. During the press conference, executives would not give exact volumes, but they said production would be ramped up in a “moderate” way because the company wants to ensure that the quality is exceptional.
How many batteries does it have?
It comes with either three or four battery packs, each with an energy capacity of around 105 kWh. The maximum battery capacity is therefore 420 kWh2. Its drive unit comprises 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 and maximum performance of 400 kW.
Electric cars feature regenerative braking; does that apply to the eActros too?
Yes. A well-trained and competent driver will focus on recuperation. The energy obtained in this way during braking is fed back into the batteries of the eActros and is again made available for use by the drive system.
That will help with range – which is one of the concerns with any electric vehicle. How far will the eActros travel on a full charge?
It has a range of up to 400 kilometres.
Another worry is charging time. How long does this take?
When connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need just over one hour to charge from 20 to 80 percent.
Electric vehicles tend to be expensive. What will the eActros cost?
It will cost roughly three times as much as a diesel truck.
Three times! Surely this means that the truck doesn’t make economic sense?
Well, actually it does. In some countries – Germany, for instance, total cost of ownership (TCO) parity versus a diesel truck can be achieved with the eActros. This depends on local incentives and energy prices – so TCO will vary from market to market.
An electric truck means dealing with high voltages. Is it safe for the driver?
Yes indeed. There are lots of features in the eActros that 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. If that happens, the high-voltage (HV) battery is automatically isolated from the rest of the vehicle. What's more, the driver always has the option of actuating the HV shutoff at any time in the cab.
What about other road users? We’re used to the sound of an internal combustion engine. It warns us that a truck – and therefore a potential danger – is approaching.
To ensure the vehicle is easier for road users like pedestrians and cyclists to hear, the eActros comes as standard with an external Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). The AVAS comprises two speakers – one at the front and one at the rear of the vehicle. They are connected with one another and with the vehicle. Depending on the driving conditions, sounds for driving forwards and reversing are played. The forward noise simulates a quiet fan noise while, when the truck is reversing, an intermittent two-tone sound can be heard.
Operating an electric truck is a whole new ball game for truck companies. Won’t they be a bit lost?
They shouldn’t be. There will be a team of eConsultants on duty and they will be able to guide operators through the whole process. This can include anything and everything from providing advice on electrification of the depot to implementing a charging infrastructure. A total of 30 eConsultants will be available on 1 October. They are currently being trained. Once the volumes build up, more eConsultants will be appointed.
Finally, the latest “regular” Actros comes with some pretty cool features. What about the eActros?
It has all those too. Popular features such as MirrorCam and the Multimedia Cockpit have been incorporated in the eActros too. So, it offers all the benefits of a “regular” Actros. Just no diesel engine!
