The heavy road transport sector using electric trucks will receive a strong boost in the coming year’s thanks to the arrival of proposals from the main groups. One of those who is betting the most is the Germans from Mercedes-Benz, who a few hours ago presented their latest proposal in the long-distance electric truck sector. The eActros LongHaul.
This model, still in the development phase, has been presented at the International Motor Show (IAA) held in Hannover, and allows us to take a look at aspects such as the design language that long-distance electric trucks will have the German brand, and where clear and rounded lines stand out with an LED light strip in the front area.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has confirmed that its long-distance electric model will have a propulsion system made up of two motors with a combined nominal power of 400 kW, which can reach a maximum of 600 kW (818 hp). These engines will be powered by up to three battery packs that will have a total capacity of 600 kWh, which according to the manufacturer will allow you to travel 500 kilometers with each charge.
In addition to the tractor unit, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also produce rigid variants of the eActros LongHaul to offer a more complete proposition using the same platform.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks development engineers have indicated that the package design will allow the eActros LongHaul to achieve a service life of around 10 years or 1.2 million kilometers. A figure is similar to that of a model with a combustion engine with similar characteristics.
Some batteries use lithium-ferrophosphate (LFP) chemistry, which will possibly allow these useful life figures under normal conditions to be even higher. Some resistant batteries will also be compatible with fast charging of up to 1 MW (1,000 kW) that will allow you to go from 30 to 80% in less than 30 minutes.
This will become the first all-electric series production vehicle from Mercedes-Benz Trucks to be built from start to finish on the assembly line in Wörth. This also includes the installation of all electrical components and the commissioning of the vehicle at the end of the line.
Something that allows Mercedes to intersperse the production of electric and diesel models, to adapt production to demand in real-time.
The prototypes are already undergoing intensive testing on the open road and in real conditions, while the first pre-series model will start rolling in 2023 when the first models will be delivered to customers who will be able to start testing to learn first-hand the potential of this type of vehic
