The battery-electric eActros LongHaul long-distance truck will be Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ trade show highlight at this year’s IAA Transportation expo. The manufacturer announced the 40-ton truck in 2020 and will present the prototype for the first time at the show.
The eActros LongHaul to be shown at IAA provides a preview of the design theme of the series-production vehicle. The tractor unit is also part of the eActros LongHaul test fleet. The first prototypes are already undergoing intensive testing and the eActros LongHaul will be tested on public roads this year. In the coming year, near- production prototypes will got to customers for real-world use testing. Series readiness is planned for 2024. On a single battery charge the eActros LongHaul will have a range of around 500 km. The e-truck will enable high-performance charging – or so-called ‘megawatt’ charging.
As part of its pre-launch communications for IAA, Mercedes-Benz Trucks published the first teaser images of the eActros LongHaul concept prototype and announced further technical specifications planned for the production vehicle. The batteries used in the eActros LongHaul employ lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP); they can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of about one megawatt. The long range on a single charge in combination with megawatt charging results in overall ranges close to that of conventional trucks and thus enables two-shift operations. The vehicle is also characterized by a well-balanced driveline for a pleasant driving experience. In addition, the eActros LongHaul features the manufacturer’s numerous safety innovations.
In addition to the eActros LongHaul, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will present further new battery-electric trucks at IAA. The eActros for heavy-duty distribution transport has been in series production at the Wörth plant since October 2021. The eEconic for municipal use will follow in July.
Battery-electric drives have the highest efficiency among alternative drives. The eActros LongHaul therefore provides a high level of energy efficiency with its purely battery-electric drive. This gives transport companies significant economic advantages in the eActros LongHaul’s intended use scenarios.
The lion’s share of long-distance transport applications in transporters’ operational practices do not require a range beyond the approximately 500 km the eActros LongHaul makes possible on a single charge. In addition, legal restrictions on the driving times for truck drivers limit the need for longer ranges, depending on the case. For example, truck drivers in the EU must take a minimum of a 45-minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of driving. During this time energy for the remaining route can be recharged. The eActros LongHaul is therefore suitable for transport companies when used regularly on routes that can be planned, given appropriate distances and charging options.
Charging infrastructure
The concept for battery-electric long-distance transport is aimed at offering customers a holistic solution consisting of vehicle technology, consulting, charging infrastructure and services.
Daimler Truck, Traton Group and Volvo Group have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture for public charging for long-distance transport. This provides for the establishment and operation of a public high-performance charging network for battery-electric heavy-duty long-distance trucks and coaches in Europe. The charging network of these three parties should be available to fleet operators in Europe, regardless of brand. When it comes to depot charging, Mercedes-Benz Trucks works with Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Engie.
In addition, Daimler Truck participates in the high-performance charging in long-distance truck transport (HoLa) project. The goal of the project, under the patronage of the VDA, is the planning, construction and operation of a selected high-performance charging infrastructure for battery-electric long-haul trucking. Two high-performance megawatt charging System (MCS) charging points will be set up at four locations in Germany and tested in real-world use. Various other consortium partners from industry and research are involved in the project.
CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050
Daimler Truck’s ambition is to only offer new vehicles in Europe, Japan and North America by 2039 that are CO2-neutral when driving (‘tank-to-wheel’). The ultimate goal is putting CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050.
The two battery-electric models Mercedes-Benz eCitaro and Mercedes-Benz eActros have been in series production since 2018 and 2021 respectively. The Mercedes-Benz eEconic, the FUSO eCanter and the Freightliner eCascadia will follow later this year, and other locally CO2-neutral vehicles are already planned. In the second half of this decade the company aims to add series-production trucks with hydrogen-based fuel cell drives to its range of vehicles.