Mercedes-Benz premieres flagship eActros

Mercedes-Benz presented its battery-electric, heavy-duty eActros to the world in June and announced that a second electric truck, the eEconic, is also in development.

The presentation was live-streamed online and comes hot on the heels of the arrival in New Zealand of the diesel-powered model, which was named 2020 International Truck of the Year.

Advanced features that helped Actros earn that title, such as Active Brake Assist 5, SideGuard Assist, MirrorCam, and Predictive Powertrain Control will also be available in the electric version.

“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,” said Karin Rådström, member of the Board of Management Daimler Truck AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, who unveiled eActros alongside Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

“The eActros and its dedicated services are a big step for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and for our customers towards CO2-neutral transport,” said Rådström.

The premiere revealed that eActros will have a range of up to 400km, a total vehicle weight of 40T and up to 420kWh battery output to meet the demands of long-distance haulage.

“The eActros is perfectly equipped for its daily operations in distribution and transport,” von Wallfeld said.

eActros will be available with three or four batteries, delivering 315kWh or 420kWh. Batteries will charge from 20% to 80% in an hour when connected to a regular 400A DC charging station.

“The eActros and its dedicated services are a big step for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and for our customers towards CO2-neutral transport,” added Rådström.

Keith Andrews CEO Aaron Smith said that as New Zealand’s biggest Mercedes-Benz truck dealership, the Keith Andrews network would be looking forward to introducing the truck to Kiwi operators.

“While there is no confirmed arrival date for eActros in NZ, KAT is proud to represent such a forward-thinking leader in commercial vehicle innovation,” said Smith.

“We will be well-prepared to help integrate these trucks into operators’ fleets, following our experience with FUSO eCanter and Auckland’s Zero Emissions Area trial, which involves some of our major customers such as Mainfreight, Bidfood, Toll Group, Owens Transport and Vector OnGas.”

eActros has been extensively tested in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands across half a million kilometres on public roads and is entering series production in 2021. Production will take place at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Wörth am Rhein.