Mercedes-Benz Trucks has unveiled its battery-electric eActros for heavy-duty short-radius distribution. The first series-produced electric truck to bear a three-pointed star, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is highlighting its clear desire to achieve CO2-neutral road-based goods transport.
While the standard model of the eActros is planned to roll off the production line in Wörth am Rhein Germany later in the year, it is not clear when the new trucks will arrive in this part of the world.
“We are very excited about groundbreaking Mercedes-Benz electric trucks and buses, including the pioneering eActros,” says Andrew Assimo director for Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific.
“We are not yet in a position to confirm any local electric model introductions, but are certainly working towards making these exciting vehicles available in Australia and New Zealand at the appropriate time.”
The battery of the eActros series-production model is equipped with either three or four battery packs, each with an energy capacity of around 105kWh. The maximum battery capacity of 420kWh2 enables ranges of up to 400km to be achieved. The technological centrepiece of the electric truck is the drive unit – a rigid electric axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission.
Mercedes-Benz says the two integrated electric motors are designed to offer great efficiency and a constant delivery of power with high starting torque. The provision of immediate torque by the electric motors, which are coupled with a two-speed transmission, ensures powerful acceleration, driving comfort and driving dynamics designed to enable more relaxed, low-stress driving than a conventional diesel-powered truck.
Contrary to a diesel truck, the eActros has fewer vibrations, and can be charged with up to 160kW. When connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need a little longer than one hour to charge from 20 to 80%.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks says it has embedded the eActros in an ecosystem that also provides advice and services, as well as a range of digital solutions to increase capacity utilisation of the vehicle and to optimise the total cost of ownership.
Numerous road safety features and systems have been included in the eActros. Special crash elements with an aluminium profile protect the batteries in the event of a side-on crash, while sensors integrated in these can detect a crash scenario. 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.
Also assuring additional safety when turning off to the nearside is the Sideguard Assist which comes as standard on the eActros. Another system which is part of the standard scope of equipment is the fifth-generation Active Brake Assist emergency braking system with pedestrian recognition. This can help to reduce the risk of a collision in the longitudinal direction on urban streets, out-of-town roads or motorways.
