In two test phases, fewer than 20 test customers used an eActros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets.
In the race to fight climate change with battery-powered trucks for heavy-duty distribution instead the filthy diesels that predominate, Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the eActros finally has a credible entry. After a 500,000 kilometers of testing, eActros will go into production at the Wörth am Rhein plant during the second half of the year.
It’s been a long time coming, allowing Japanese maker Toyota through Hino to seize the apparent lead. Daimler first showed a concept for a heavy-duty electric truck back in 2016. It took two years to get ten prototypes into testing during 2018. The key – of course – will be customer adaptation and government incentives to fight climate change that spur purchases and above all retirements of diesels. (Toyota, 7-Eleven Japan to Study Fuel Cell Trucks; Toyota Gen 2 Prototype Fuel-Cell Trucks to Start Drayage Runs at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach; Carbon Free Hauling;Japan Inc: Toyota and Hino to Pioneer Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Trucks with Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson; Isuzu, Honda to Research Fuel-Cell HD Trucks and Vehicles; Hyundai Motor Teases “Enhanced” XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck)
In two test phases, fewer than 20 customers used an eActros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets. In both the 18-ton and 25-ton versions, the eActros transported refrigerated 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.
Engineers it’s said also tested the eActros in winter conditions, where attention was paid to the behavior of the batteries and the electrical powertrain during extreme weather. The eActros was also subjected to additional testing such as noise measurements at an exterior noise test rig and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests in a dedicated testing hall. The results, Mercedes says, show that the eActros is suitable for everyday use and that it fulfills operating requirements.
Daimler Truck AG is pursuing a strategy that aims to offer only new vehicles that are C02-neutral in driving operation (“tank-to-wheel”) in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039. Starting 17 years sooner in 2022, Daimler Truck AG wants its vehicle portfolio to include mass-produced vehicles with battery-powered drive systems in the main sales regions of 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 goal is to achieve CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050.
“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,” said Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The digital world premiere will be streamed on June 30th at 10:00 am CEST: click here or go to https://newtrucknewera.mercedes-benz-trucks.com/
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Battery Powered – Mercedes-Benz Trucks to Unveil eActros
In two test phases, fewer than 20 test customers used an eActros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets.
In the race to fight climate change with battery-powered trucks for heavy-duty distribution instead the filthy diesels that predominate, Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the eActros finally has a credible entry. After a 500,000 kilometers of testing, eActros will go into production at the Wörth am Rhein plant during the second half of the year.
It’s been a long time coming, allowing Japanese maker Toyota through Hino to seize the apparent lead. Daimler first showed a concept for a heavy-duty electric truck back in 2016. It took two years to get ten prototypes into testing during 2018. The key – of course – will be customer adaptation and government incentives to fight climate change that spur purchases and above all retirements of diesels. (Toyota, 7-Eleven Japan to Study Fuel Cell Trucks; Toyota Gen 2 Prototype Fuel-Cell Trucks to Start Drayage Runs at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach; Carbon Free Hauling;Japan Inc: Toyota and Hino to Pioneer Light-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Trucks with Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson; Isuzu, Honda to Research Fuel-Cell HD Trucks and Vehicles; Hyundai Motor Teases “Enhanced” XCIENT Fuel Cell Truck)
In two test phases, fewer than 20 customers used an eActros instead of a conventional truck in their fleets. In both the 18-ton and 25-ton versions, the eActros transported refrigerated 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.
Engineers it’s said also tested the eActros in winter conditions, where attention was paid to the behavior of the batteries and the electrical powertrain during extreme weather. The eActros was also subjected to additional testing such as noise measurements at an exterior noise test rig and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests in a dedicated testing hall. The results, Mercedes says, show that the eActros is suitable for everyday use and that it fulfills operating requirements.
Daimler Truck AG is pursuing a strategy that aims to offer only new vehicles that are C02-neutral in driving operation (“tank-to-wheel”) in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039. Starting 17 years sooner in 2022, Daimler Truck AG wants its vehicle portfolio to include mass-produced vehicles with battery-powered drive systems in the main sales regions of 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 goal is to achieve CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050.
“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,” said Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The digital world premiere will be streamed on June 30th at 10:00 am CEST: click here or go to https://newtrucknewera.mercedes-benz-trucks.com/
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.