Mercedes-Benz Trucks have announced they will unveil its battery-electric eActros LongHaul long-distance truck at IAA Transportation 2022. This follows the brand’s concept prototype that was revealed back in 2020. The 40-ton eActros LongHaul electric truck shown at the show in September will be a preview of the design theme of the series-production vehicle.
The first prototypes of this vehicle are already undergoing intensive testing and the eActros LongHaul will be tested on public roads this year. In the coming year, near-production prototypes will go to customers for real-world use testing.
Series readiness is planned for 2024. What makes this electric vehicle (EV) special is that will have a range of around 310 miles (500km). Most companies will rarely need a range above this. Plus, legal restrictions on driving times for truck drivers limit the need for longer ranges, depending on the case and country.
This electric truck will also enable high-performance charging or so-called “megawatt charging” which reduces charging times and reduces downtimes. Both of these are important and will help to encourage many companies in the logistics and haulage industry to make the transition to electric trucks.
Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “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.”
As part of its pre-launch communications for IAA, Mercedes-Benz Trucks published the first teaser images of the eActros LongHaul concept prototype and announced further technical specifications planned for the production vehicle.
The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). These are characterised, above all, by a long service life and more usable energy. The batteries can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in well under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt.
The long range from a single charge in combination with megawatt charging results in overall ranges on a par with conventional trucks and thus enables two-shift operations. The vehicle is also characterised by a particularly well-balanced driveline for a pleasant driving experience. In addition, the eActros LongHaul features the manufacturer’s numerous safety innovations.
The core of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks concept for battery-electric long-distance transport is to offer customers a holistic solution consisting of vehicle technology, consulting, charging infrastructure and services. Most importantly, it will make this the right choice for customers in terms of profitability, sustainability and reliability.
To help with the logistics industry in Europe Daimler Truck, TRATON GROUP and Volvo Group signed a binding agreement to establish ajoint venture for public charging for long-distance transport. This will help to support the transition to electric trucks.
The charging network of these three parties should be available to fleet operators in Europe, regardless of brand. When it comes to depot charging, Mercedes-Benz Trucks works with Siemens Smart Infrastructure and ENGIE.
Plus, Daimler Truck also participates in the “high-performance charging in long-distance truck transport” (HoLa) project. The goal of the project, under the patronage of the VDA, is the planning, construction and operation of a selected high-performance charging infrastructure for battery-electric long-haul trucking.
Two high-performance Megawatt Charging System (MCS) charging points will be set up at four locations in Germany and tested in real-world use. Various other consortium partners from industry and research are involved in the project.
Daimler Truck’s ambition is to only offer new vehicles in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039 that are CO2-neutral when driving (‘tank-to-wheel’). The two battery-electric models Mercedes-Benz eCitaro and Mercedes-Benz eActros have been in series production since 2018 and 2021 respectively.
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic, the FUSO eCanter and the Freightliner eCascadia will follow later this year. O her locally CO2-neutral vehicles are already planned. In the second half of this decade, the company aims to add series-production trucks with hydrogen-based fuel cell drives to its range of vehicles. Putting CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050 is the ultimate goal.
