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The new MercedesBenz eActros will change the industry for real
Launching the new Mercedes-Benz fully electric eActros, Karin Radstrom, Member of the Board of Daimler AG with responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Trucks said: “It will change the industry for real”. Ms. Radstrom also stated that: “Launching the eActros is an important step towards our long term target to offer only CO2 neutral vehicles in Europe by 2039. We are working on a full range of zero-emission trucks and already the next electric Mercedes-Benz truck is in the making - the eEconic which will be introduced later this year.”
Propelling the new eActros are two electric motors with a two-speed planetary gear-set integrated into the drive axle. The e-motors are powered by either three or four 105 kWh Li-ion battery packs that combine to provide 315 kWh or 420 kWh respectively. Driving over its claimed range of 400 kms, eActros will deliver 330 kW (449 hp) constantly, and 400 kW (544 hp) peak power. The four-set battery pack weighs in at 740 kgs and can be recharged from 20% to 80% in approximately one hour using a 160 kW charge point. The truck will initially be available in 4x2, 6x2 and drawbar formats up to 40 tonnes (gross train weight). However, this emission-free technology comes at a price, which FLEETTRANSPORT | AUG 21
Mercedes-Benz estimate to be around three times that of a comparable diesel-powered Actros. In addition, this is not a case of dropping into the local dealer and signing on the dotted line as these vehicles need dedicated support. This will be delivered by Mercedes-Benz eConsultants who will manage the integration of eActros and ensure “a fully transparent total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations.” Despite being more expensive, it is the eActros’ TCO that MercedesBenz believes will provide the winning formula. This is due to the increasing number of low noise and zero-emission zones and the possible banning of diesel vehicles from many city centres. These factors along with Government supports and the cost of energy could combine to achieve TCO parity of a diesel and electric Actros in some countries as early as 2025 - and these considerations will greatly influence the take-up by operators. Apart from the truck not being ADR compliant, eActros comes with all a driver would expect from the latest Actros, including the award-winning MirrorCam, Sideguard Assist, Active Brake Assist 5 and the Mercedes-Benz Multi-Media Cockpit. Following testing of over 500,000 kms with operators in the Netherlands and Germany, mainly on supermarket distribution, feedback from the companies and drivers was positive across all aspects of the truck. With Electric Vehicle (EV) residual values are always a concern when it comes to investing, and for this reason, Mercedes-Benz is offering a lease option Mercedes-Benz eActros Summary Battery capacity of 315 or 420 kWh Range up to 400 kms Up to 160 kW charging with 400 A DC Silent running @ 60 dB Mercedes-Benz Multi-Media Cockpit
over the life of the truck. Head of Sales & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks Andreas von Wallfeld said: “We offer an operational lease, so, for example, customers can buy the truck or lease it for 5 or 6 years and return it to us for a guaranteed residual value.” He continued: “This shows our commitment to eActros, it is important we can offer operational lease so our customers can go out risk-free.”
This may also help with the move to creating a larger EVs truck park for used vehicles. Most electric trucks will not cover a vast number of kilometres and would be well able to continue once the battery can be reconditioned or replaced. Mercedes-Benz is already investigating this option and a good supply of used electric trucks would certainly widen the potential customer base for a move to electric transport. Nevertheless, Karin Radstrom concluded: “We do not know where battery technology will be in six years.” With series production set to begin in October, Mercedes-Benz expects to take orders after the summer, with deliveries to the first customers by the end of 2021. Text: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie
e.Motors integrated into drive axle Power - Constant 330 kW/ Peak 400 kW Charge times 20% -80% approx 1 hour Mirror Cam, ABA5, Sideguard Assist, Two Speed Planetary Gear-Set
