The “eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024” by Mercedes-Benz Trucks is making headlines as it pushes the boundaries of battery-electric trucking. This ambitious journey saw two e-trucks travel 4,436 kilometers solely on electric power, culminating in their arrival at the North Cape in Norway, the northernmost point in Europe accessible by road from the mainland. Starting from Frankfurt am Main on June 11, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 prototypes embarked on the most extensive test run in the company’s history, traversing over 20 European countries and covering more than 13,000 kilometers with a 40-ton total towing weight. Notable milestones include the southernmost point in Continental Europe: Tarifa in Spain.
Pioneering the Path: Testing Endurance and Reliability
Norway presented the longest and perhaps most challenging leg of the tour, with the e-trucks conquering 480 kilometers on a single battery charge through rural roads and demanding topography. Despite strong winds and rainy weather, the eActros 600 prototypes maintained their reliability, completing the leg with an additional 30 kilometers of range to spare. This test not only highlighted the trucks' robust performance under adverse conditions but also underscored their potential for long-haul journeys.
Gathering Insights: Focus on Energy Consumption
Mercedes-Benz Trucks aims to gather comprehensive data on energy consumption across diverse routes, topographies, and climates during this tour. These insights will be invaluable for future developments and will be shared with customers interested in adopting electric trucks. With a high battery capacity exceeding 600 kilowatt-hours and an efficient in-house developed electric drive axle, the eActros 600 boasts a range of 500 kilometers without intermediate charging. The tour emphasizes charging exclusively at public stations, demonstrating the practicality of existing infrastructure.
Extensive Journey Across Europe
The tour has already seen the e-trucks navigate through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Upcoming destinations include Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Monaco, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This extensive route is designed to expose the eActros 600 to a variety of conditions, ensuring thorough testing.
The eActros 600: A Glimpse Into the Future
Mercedes-Benz Trucks' data reveals that approximately 60 percent of long-distance journeys by its customers in Europe are under 500 kilometers. This indicates that current charging infrastructure at depots and loading points is often sufficient. However, for longer distances, the expansion of public charging stations is crucial. The eActros 600 supports CCS charging up to 400 kW and will soon facilitate megawatt charging (MCS). Developers successfully tested a prototype with a one-megawatt charging station at the Wörth am Rhein development center, and future models will feature retrofittable MCS technology.
Visually, the eActros 600 stands out with a sleek, aerodynamic design. Beyond aesthetics, it aims to revolutionize profitability for fleet operators, with the potential to replace the majority of diesel trucks in long-haul transport. Mercedes-Benz Trucks' strategy encompasses not only vehicle technology but also comprehensive solutions involving consulting, charging infrastructure, and services, presenting a holistic approach to battery-electric long-distance transport.
Conclusion
The eActros 600’s European Testing Tour is a significant milestone in the transition to sustainable transport. The tour’s success in challenging conditions proves the viability of electric trucks for long-haul journeys and underscores the importance of robust public charging infrastructure. As Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues to innovate and refine its electric vehicle offerings, the future of long-distance haulage looks increasingly green and promising.
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