The
digital event will be streamed on the Internet. Karin Rådström, member of the
Board of Management Daimler Truck AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and
Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks, will
present the series-production model of the eActros. At the event, they will
present the technical details as well as the digital services and consulting
offers for customers of the eActros.
Series
production of the eActros is scheduled to begin at the Wörth am Rhein plant in
the second half of 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. 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.
Andreas
von Wallfeld says, “We first presented a concept for a heavy-duty electric
truck back in 2016. Only two years later, we put our thoroughly further
developed prototypes to a tough test at renowned customers. The eActros that we
will now unveil is the final result of all the experience we gained on the road
and on test rigs. It is a reflection of the innovative strength of our
Mercedes-Benz brand when it comes to alternative drive systems. At the same
time, the vehicle is also the result of our close and intensive cooperation
with our customers. Thanks to intensive practical testing, we will launch a
vehicle that is completely tailored to the customers’ needs and offer it along
with an extensive range of services. We are all looking forward to the world
premiere on June 30.”
More than two years
of practical testing by customers
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. 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.
eActros drivers are
impressed by the electric truck
Even
before the continuous operation of the prototypes has been completed, it has
become clear that the eActros is in no way inferior to a conventional diesel truck
in terms of availability and performance in urban traffic, on highways or on
overland routes. Drivers are very pleased with the continuous availability of
torque over the entire speed range. They also report in particular on the quiet
driving style and a pleasant, smooth driving experience. In addition, when
driving with foresight, electrical energy can be recovered through
recuperation.
The
Daimler Truck AG is pursuing a sustainable corporate strategy and aims to offer
only new vehicles that are CO2-neutral in driving operation (“tank-to-wheel”)
in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039. 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.
Beginning in 2027, the company wants to
supplement its portfolio by adding series-produced hydrogen-powered fuel cell
vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve CO2-neutral transport on the road by
2050.