Mercedes-Benz eActros bound for Aus

Mercedes-Benz Trucks said that initially, four eActros heavy-duty electric trucks will be put to work in Australia and one unit will hit the road in New Zealand, with additional units to follow.

Daimler Truck has plenty of experience with electric commercial vehicles and was the first manufacturer in Australia with an all-electric truck when the Fuso eCanter was launched locally last year.

Customers on both sides of the Tasman have embraced the eCanter, appreciating the near smooth and quiet operation, active safety features, ease of use and original equipment manufacturer backing.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific Director, Andrew Assimo, says he is excited to start the local evaluation program for eActros as part of a drive towards CO2-neutral goods transport.

“We are excited to conduct this extensive testing program on the roads of Australia and New Zealand for the advanced and innovative all-electric eActros, a truck that represents an exciting new chapter for sustainable road transport in our region,” he said.

“Mercedes-Benz Trucks always makes sure the advanced technology we introduce locally is tailored for our unique conditions and meets the specific requirements of our customers with extensive local evaluation and it is no different with zero emission electric technology,” Mr Assimo added.

In a press statement announcing the eActros, Daimler Trucks said it is committed to advancing battery electric technology for trucks and buses, but is also working on hydrogen fuel cell technology that is well suited to Australian requirements of longer distances at higher weights.

The statement went on to say that while hydrogen fuel cell trucks are currently being tested they are still some years away from introduction. Battery electric Mercedes-Benz trucks are already in production and out on the road with leading European fleets.

The focus of the eActros is for heavy-duty short radius distribution and development trucks have been working away in select fleets in Europe since 2018.

Mr Assimo said Mercedes-Benz Trucks is excited to fulfill customer demand and bring the all-electric eActros to Australia and New Zealand.

Related reading:
Daimler teases eActros LongHaul
Mercedes-Benz Level 2 autonomous truck: Review
First series produced eActros hits the road

“Our key customers are very passionate about advanced electric heavy vehicles and we are thrilled to begin the evaluation program that will ensure our electric Actros will succeed in our market,” he said.

“We are excited to help our customers along their emission reduction pathways with class-leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) trucks that are genuine workhorses and carry out their work in near silence producing zero local emissions,” Mr Assimo concluded.

In Europe, the eActros is available with two battery/range options (3x or 4x 112 kWh packs). The eActros 300 has 336 kWh (291 kWh usable) whereas the eActros 400 has four packs with 448 kWh (388 kWh usable) for up to 400km.

The eActros was launched in Europe as a two-axle or three-axle rigid truck and Mercedes-Benz has been running an eActros three-axle truck with a two-axle trailer at 40 tonnes GCM delivering parts between two of its plants in Rastatt and Gaggenau, a trip of around 300 kilometres.

Daimler Trucks Australia would not discuss what configuration the first trucks would be in, but we’ll keep you posted.