On June 30, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will celebrate the world premiere of its battery-powered eActros, with series production of the eActros is scheduled to begin at the Wörth am Rhein plant later this year.
During the development of the series-production vehicle, the developers at Mercedes-Benz Trucks have particularly focused on the “customer co-creation” aspect, in which truck customers are closely involved in the product’s development.
Prototypes testing since 2018
Therefore, prototypes of the eActros already went into intensive customer testing in 2018. This enabled the experts at Mercedes-Benz Trucks to take the customer feedback regarding the electric truck into account early on and directly incorporate it into the vehicle’s development.
To date, the prototypes have driven more than half a million kilometres on public roads. Moreover, the test engineers at Mercedes-Benz Trucks have subjected the eActros to intensive tests in order to ensure it meets Mercedes-Benz’s familiar high standards.
Since 2018, ten eActros prototypes have formed an “Innovation Fleet” in which they have proven their worth in continuous operation at various customers in Germany and other European countries.
Customers testing
In two test phases, almost 20 test customers used an eActros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets. In both the 18-ton and 25-ton versions, the eActros fulfilled various challenging tasks in a variety of sectors.
Among other things, it transported chilled goods in an electrically-powered refrigerated box body to supermarket branches, served as a plant vehicle to supply components for production, handled the replacement of waste containers, and used a tank body to carry fly ash for the production of concrete.
Outside Germany, the battery-powered truck was also tested by customers in Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Superior quality
The series-production eActros will be significantly superior to the prototype of the Innovation Fleet with regard to a number of key properties, such as range, power and safety functions. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will embed the vehicle in a holistic ecosystem that also includes customer consulting services relating to e-mobility.
Before series production commences, the developers have subjected the eActros – like its conventional counterparts – to endurance tests to be sure of its safety, performance and durability.
Extreme weather testing
The cooling system for the cargo and also the air conditioning — both of which are electrically operated — have been operating reliably in both extreme heat and winter conditions.
The eActros was also subjected to additional testing concepts such as noise measurements at an exterior noise test rig and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests in a dedicated testing hall. The results show that the eActros is suitable for everyday use and that it fulfils operating requirements.
As early as 2022, the Daimler Truck AG wants its vehicle portfolio to include series-produced vehicles with battery-powered drive systems in the main sales regions Europe, the United States and Japan.
