The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 offers 500 kilometres of electric range

We are talking quite a lot about electric trucks, and that is only natural. And it is good, because it means that heavy road transport is getting ever closer to electric mobility. One of the companies working on this has just announced that it has developed the truck with the longest range on the market.

This is the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, a model that until very recently was called the Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul. This truck has been in development for some time, and its exterior design has been updated, with a better presence and an announced range that is quite striking.

A truck built for long distances

The truck was unveiled at IAA Transportation 2022 as an electric prototype. The prototype has led to 50 units that will begin testing with several selected companies. After this trial, series production of the model will begin and it will be available for purchase worldwide.

Its name comes from the total capacity of the batteries it carries. There are three 200 kWh batteries, so the total adds up to 600 kWh. With the energy stored in these batteries it achieves a range of 500 kilometres. With these figures, it has become the long-haul heavy-duty electric truck with the greatest range.

The batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology. This technology allows for a longer service life. Among the work being carried out by the engineers at Mercedes, efforts are underway so that charging the battery from 20 to 80% takes 30 minutes. For this, a 1 MW charging station will be required.

To move, it uses two electric motors, which deliver a continuous power of 400 kW, equivalent to 544 CV. Its maximum output is 600 kW, equivalent to 816 CV. It uses 800-volt technology, so it is very efficient and charging times are shorter.

This truck will become the most economical long-haul truck from the German brand. This is due to lower maintenance costs compared with diesel trucks of the same type. The truck has undergone several tests, which have shown that both the truck and its electric components are able to withstand around 1.2 million kilometres over 10 years without problems.

Production in 2024

The presentation of the production version will take place at the end of 2023. Once we see the truck and learn all its features, series production of this electric truck will begin in Wörth in 2024, in the same plant where the diesel trucks are assembled.