Daimler Truck is set to start production of its first fully electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November. The truck features a range of 500 kilometres on a single battery charge and a cargo capacity of 22 tonnes. Since sales launched last year, it has accumulated 2,000 orders.
Daimler Truck is set to begin production of its first fully electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November, the company announced on Sunday. Since sales began late last year, the truckmaker has received 2,000 orders for the eActros 600. Although Daimler Truck has not revealed the purchase price of the battery-electric truck, it previously indicated that it costs 2.5 times more than its diesel counterparts.
Karin Radstrom, head of the Mercedes-Benz Truck Unit and soon-to-be Daimler Truck’s CEO in October, emphasized that the truck’s high energy efficiency makes it a worthwhile investment for fleet operators. The eActros 600, which will be manufactured alongside diesel models on Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ existing assembly line in Woerth am Rhein, Germany, offers a range of 500 kilometres on a single battery charge and can transport up to 22 tonnes of cargo.
In comparison, Daimler Truck’s diesel trucks can carry up to 25 tonnes and cover around 1,600 kilometres per day on a single fueling. Meanwhile, Swedish competitor Volvo’s FH Electric truck can reach a range of 600 kilometers at full charge.
A recent study by consultancy firm McKinsey suggested that the prices of emissions-free trucks need to decrease by as much as 50% for them to become a more affordable alternative to diesel models.
