2024 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 EV truck can do the long haul

With electrification becoming more & more apparent across different markets and brands, it's not surprising to see automakers like Mercedes-Benz having one of the most extensive lineups of EVs to date. From electric crossovers like the EQA, EQB, EQC, and EQE SUVs as well as electric sedans like the EQS and EQE, Mercedes-Benz has an EV for every discerning customer.

But aside from offering electric passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz, particularly Daimler Trucks, has also revealed a heavy-duty hauler that runs on pure electricity and can cover long distances on a single charge. After revealing the first prototypes last year, the company has officially revealed the eActros 600 EV.

Despite being only powered by electricity, this zero-emissions truck has a payload capacity of around 22 tons. It's made possible thanks to three massive lithium-iron-phosphate batteries along with an 800-volt electric axle with two electric motors.

The eActros 600 EV can continuously crank out 544 PS and has a peak output of 816 PS for the heaviest of loads. But should the going get tough, it also has a four-speed transmission that can be specifically used for heavy-duty long-haul transport. More than likely the transmission is for setting the motors for high or low gearing, depending on the driver's needs.

On a full charge, the eActros 600 EV can cover a total distance of around 500 km. With Mercedes-Benz stating that roughly 60% of long-distance trips by its customers are shorter than than the EV's maximum range, the company says that customers shouldn't be worried by range anxiety so as long as there's charging infrastructure in both loading and unloading points. Should the trip be longer, the eActross 600 EV can travel up to 1,000 km with intermediate charging during legally prescribed driver breaks.

As for now, the eActros 600 EV has a charging capacity of 400 kW which is already impressive by today's standards. In the future, however, the company plans to offer megawatt charging. Once it becomes available, Mercedes-Benz says that recharging the truck's battery from 20% to 80% can be done in only 30 minutes should a charging station have an output of around 1 megawatt.

“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,” said Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Production of the eActross 600 EV is set to begin next year. As far as pricing is concerned, Mercedes-Benz Trucks says it will be around two and a half times higher than an equivalent diesel-powered truck. But with fewer moving parts and lesser maintenance intervals, the company say that electric truck could be more profitable in the future.