Around the world in 80 charges
Mercedes-Benz battery-electric truck motorhome heads off on epic 45,000km cross-continent trekA European truck driver and content creator is seeking to be the first person to complete a circumnavigation of the globe driving a purely battery-electric long-haul truck.
Behind the wheel of a customized Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, 'Elektrotrucker' Tobias Wagner will attempt to cover around 45,000km over the next 12 months, travelling across more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and South America, as well as Australia.
The aim is to do it all with a maximum of 80 charging stops.
Expedition ready
The expedition vehicle is based on a series-produced 4x2 eActros 600 supplied by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, fitted out with two spare-wheel carriers, single tires, auxiliary headlights integrated into the sun visor, and a specially developed camper body from Bliss Mobil.
Logistics company DHL is providing support for vehicle transport on the necessary sea routes, particularly between continents.
“I have been driving battery-electric trucks in international long-haul transport for several years and know what is already possible today," Wagner said.
"With this round-the-world tour, I want to find out how far we really are. I will reach places where electric mobility already works and others where it still reaches its limits. These are exactly the kinds of experiences that make the journey valuable for advancing emission-free road freight transport.”
Wagner has also equipped the truck with his own DC charging station from Alpitronic so that, in addition to the existing CCS charging technology with a charging capacity of 400 kW, it can also be charged from AC sockets with up to 43 kW in special cases.
The eActros 600 comes from the Mercedes' factory with three LFP battery packs, each with 207 kWh, powering an electric axle that enables the truck (with 40 tonnes GCM) to achieve a range of 500km or more without intermediate charging.
Christian Wilz, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany, said relying on the eActros 600 for this bold, round the world challenge provided a "strong signal of how far the technology has already come".
"His trip will inspire people far beyond the transport industry about the possibilities of electric long haul transport, while at the same time drawing attention to the progress still needed in infrastructure," Wilz said.
Related: Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Review
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.