Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the eActros, its first all-electric truck for heavy-duty short-radius distribution.

The eActros is the brand’s first production attempt at electrifying the European logistics industry with a truck that is smaller than an 18-wheeler but big enough to haul large loads.

“We have to acknowledge that transport is a part of the problem when it comes to climate change. At the same time, we can and we will be part of the solution. We start with our eActros,” said Karin Rådström, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler Truck AG and responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Motors Arranged For More Batteries

A pair of liquid-cooled motors are attached to the rear axle and together they produce 330 kW (442.5 hp) of continuous power, though they can produce up to 400 kW (536 hp). They’re located there instead of in the center of the truck to provide more room under the truck for batteries, Mercedes says. The motors are hooked up to a two-speed transmission for better acceleration.

They are supplied by either three or four 105 kWh battery packs, meaning the eActros can have up to 420 kWh of battery storage. For reference, Mercedes’ other EV, the EQS sedan, features a single 107.8 kWh battery, though a 90 kWh battery pack is also available.

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Like An Electric Car, But Bigger

Since the eActros is quite a bit bigger and will carry a lot more than the EQS, Mercedes figures that the truck is good for a range of 400 km (248 miles). Once you’re out of juice, though, it won’t take forever to recharge, despite the large batteries.

Mercedes says the eActros can be charged at up to 160 kW and when it’s hooked up to a 400A DC charger, the batteries can be filled from 20% to 80% in just over an hour. As with electric cars, the eActros also has regenerative braking to help eke out as many miles of range as possible.

Although the trucks require companies to plan for charging, the electric truck has its benefits, too. Without a big, loud diesel engine, the cab is roughly half as loud as a regular truck’s, the automaker says. It’s also much smoother without the thundering engine and will be quieter in towns.

Going The Distance

The German automaker isn’t just leaving it at that, though. In order to convince logistics companies to make the switch to electric, it’s offering integration services. These will see Mercedes helping companies set out a realistic usage profile for the trucks using existing route plans. It will also help them plan charging infrastructure and apply for grants to make the switch to electric vehicles as cost-effective as possible.

Thanks to an advanced infotainment system, drivers are kept in the know about remaining power and energy usage, and fleet operators can develop individualized charging profiles for trucks on certain routes and develop a plan for rest time and charging breaks.

Mercedes is also offering maintenance and repair packages to put companies’ minds at ease. For improved safety, the batteries have been isolated in an aluminum crash structure to protect them in case of an accident and high voltage wires are protected, too. The driver also has access to a high-voltage shutoff if anything goes haywire.

More standard safety tech is also available, like emergency braking tech to help avoid collisions in the first place, while Mercedes’ latest rearview camera tech and infotainment systems are also standard.

The Truck Of The Future

The eActros is the first step in Mercedes’ plan to switch its entire European fleet of trucks over to electric power by 2039. It will start rolling off the line at the Wörth am Rhein plant in fall 2021, while pricing has not been announced yet.