Mercedes-Benz receives first major order for eActros

The first Mercedes-Benz eActros rolls of the line at the Future Truck Center

Mercedes-Benz trucks has received its first major order for the eActros battery-powered models. The order is from Einride, a Swedish freight technology company, which has ordered 120 units.

Series production of the eActros at the plant in Worth am Rhein started in October this year at the Future Truck Center. Delivery of the eActros 300 and 400 variants will start in mid-2022.

The carbon-neutral operation of the eActros supports the digital and electric positioning of Einride.

Karin Rådström, member of the Board of Management Daimler Truck Holding responsible for the Europe and Latin America regions for the Mercedes-Benz Truck brand, said: “We have entered in a new, electric era in road haulage with the eActros. Our target is to electrify more than half of our new vehicles in Europe by 2030. This major order demonstrates that the eActros is the right vehicle and it strengthens us on our way to the complete decarbonization of the transport sector.”

The eActros 300 and 400 have respectively three or four battery packs, each with an installed capacity of 112 kWh (usable capacity 97 kWh). The eActros 400 has a maximum range of up to 400 km.

Dr. Frank H. Lehmann, plant manager at Worth am Rhein, with the eActros electric axle

The drive unit for the trucks consists of a rigid ‘electric’ axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission. The liquid-cooled motors deliver a continuous output of 330 kW, with a peak of 400 kW. The transmission has a regenerative feature which sends collected energy back to the battery pack.

The eActros can be charged at up to 160 kW. At a DC fast charging station with a charging current of 400A, three battery packs take approximately one hour to charge from 20% to 80% of capacity (this is the optimal charging range).

The eActros is assembled on the standard line with other Actros models, before the bodies are moved to the Future Truck Center for marriage of the electric powertrain. Other models which will be finished at the center include the eEconic municipal truck (late 2022) and the eActros LongHaul (2024).

Together with Norway and Iceland, Sweden has become a leader in sales of battery-electric passenger cars. According to ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association), sales of BEVs in Sweden increased more than 108% year-on-year between Q3 2020 and Q3 2021. The order for 120 units of the eActros by Einride follows on from this market shift, supported by significant national EV infrastructure investment.