Even before the Saloodo! Team, DHL’s digital road freight platform, announced that it will be the first logistics company to introduce the UAE’s first electric Mercedes-Benz truck, the green credentials of Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA were never in doubt.
In fact, Daimler Truck, the owner of the Mercedes-Benz truck brand, is committed to reducing the environmental impact of transportation. The company has often reiterated that it recognises the vital role the transportation industry plays in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Protection Agreement. The industry is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, and Daimler Truck believes it is their responsibility to take meaningful action to address this issue. This has led the company to lead the way with its range of Zero Emission Vehicles, which offer a sustainable and efficient solution for the future of transportation.
To get there, Daimler Truck is pursuing an eMobility strategy on dual tracks, as it understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to reducing emissions. It is investing in two complementary technologies: battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
“We believe that BEVs will play a critical role in urban and regional transportation, while Hydrogen fuel cell trucks will be an ideal solution for long-haul and heavy-duty operations. By investing in both technologies, we’re ensuring that our customers have access to the most suitable and sustainable vehicle for their needs,” Daimler Truck said in a statement earlier.
Currently, Daimler Truck is already producing eight battery electric truck and bus models in series worldwide and hundreds of customers have already used these vehicles to cover millions of kilometres.
The Daimler Truck electric range comprises the fully electric eActros, designed for heavy-duty distribution haulage; the eEconic, a low-entry fully electric truck designed for waste collection and municipal services; the FUSO eCanter, a pioneer and frontrunner in electric trucks that launched in 2017, with the total distance covered by the eCanter units in service around the world in all-electric and thus locally emission-free mode now being 8-million kilometres.
And when it comes to moving people, in the guise of the fully battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, Daimler Buses has been offering a locally CO2-neutral city bus for environmentally friendly local public transport in cities and metro areas since 2018. With this vehicle, Daimler Truck aims to contribute to a successful mobility transition in passenger transport.
Daimler Truck Dubai hub supports region
The regional centre of Daimler Truck – Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA – is located in Dubai and was established in 2001 with the intention to be closer to its partners and customers. It supports more than 30 Mercedes-Benz and FUSO general distributors across the region in sales, marketing and customers services and parts functions. This allows customers to access reliable and sustainable transport solutions, backed by superior after-sales service and world-class customer support.
When it comes to eMobility solutions in the region, Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA can boast of many successes. The Saloodo! Case is just one of them. The fully electric 40-tonne eActros 300 Tractor that the DHL platform chose in May this year is particularly suitable for heavy-duty distribution transport and compatible with all common semitrailers. Exclusively used by Saloodo!, the truck contributes to reducing carbon emissions in the UAE in line with DHL’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.
The sustainable transportation landscape in the region saw a further transformation in October when the highly anticipated eActros 300 L 4×2, the first battery-electric truck from Mercedes-Benz Trucks, made its debut in Saudi Arabia at the EV Auto Show Riyadh event from October 9-11.
Sustainable, future-oriented, driven by innovation and quiet: that’s the first all-electric truck from Mercedes-Benz Trucks. With a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability and a cleaner future, the eActros is a remarkable leap forward in the transportation sector – a cutting-edge all-electric truck that is a testament to the harmonious integration of innovation and efficiency. And a statement of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ unwavering dedication to a greener planet and a step towards Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainable transportation goals.
Olaf Petersen, General Manager of Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA, said: “Bringing the eActros to Saudi Arabia is a monumental leap towards sustainable transportation, aligning perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030. This state-of-the-art electric truck, equipped with advanced features like Stability Control Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Active Brake Assist 5, ensures not only a greener planet but also a safer and more comfortable ride for drivers and pedestrians alike. It’s not just a truck; it’s a symbol of our unwavering dedication to a greener planet and a cleaner future”
The eActros is powered by the eAxle, featuring two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission, delivering unparalleled ride comfort and exceptional vehicle dynamics. With its impressive battery capacity of 336kWh, the eActros 300 boasts a realistic range of up to 300km, making it ideal for distribution transport. With its fast-charging capability, the truck can be charged up to 80% in over an hour, ensuring it’s always ready for demanding daily operations.
Daimler Truck debuts new eActros 600 for long haul
The eActros 300 may be the ideal vehicle for daily operations, but when it comes to clean, emission-free long-haul operations, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has another trick up its sleeve – the eActors 600, which had its world premiere on October 10 in Hamburg.
The series version of the first battery-electric long-haul truck with the three-pointed star, the high battery capacity of more than 600 kilowatt hours – hence the model designation 600 – and a new, super-efficient electric drive axle developed in-house together enable the e-truck to achieve a range of 500km without intermediate charging.
Therefore, the eActros 600 will be able to travel significantly more than 1,000km per day, made possible by intermediate charging during driver breaks. The batteries can be charged from 20-80% in about 30 minutes at a suitable charging station with an output of around one megawatt. The vehicle is technically designed for a gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes. With a standard semitrailer, the eActros 600 has a payload of around 22 tonnes in the EU. National laws in other countries and regions may permit higher payloads.
In addition to the tractor unit, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also produce rigid variants of the eActros 600 right from market launch, offering customers further possible applications for all-electric transport. A fleet of around 50 prototype vehicles is currently being built, some of which are also to be put into practical testing with first customers in a next step.
Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “The eActros 600 stands for the transformation of road freight transport towards CO2-neutrality like no other truck with a three-pointed star. It is characterized by highly innovative drive technology that can offer our customers particularly high energy efficiency and thus profitability. This makes entry into e-mobility even more attractive for fleet operators.”
With such transformational Mercedes-Benz Trucks models as it has in its range, Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA is well-placed to support the UAE’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which will make it the first MENA nation to do so – and the truck giant is proud to support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative by providing sustainable and future-oriented transport solutions that meet the highest environmental standards.