With test runs across five different countries covering some 3,700 kilometres, Mercedes-Benz trucks aims to prove that its electric trucks are ready for a sustainable and safe future. At DronePort Sint-Truiden, we got behind the wheel of the Mercedes eActros ourselves.
In early June 2023, fleet managers, business owners and other invited guests had the chance to drive an electric truck during Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ Journ.e – Charged & Ready event at the DronePort premises in Sint-Truiden. As the show took place on a closed military airfield, even those without a truck driving licence, including your reporter on duty, were allowed to get behind the wheel.
Often drivers think a diesel-powered truck is more powerful than an electric one
“Three electric trucks left Germany a month ago for a grand tour across Europe,” says Rudy Vanderperren, marketing manager at Daimler Truck Belgium-Luxembourg. “Those trucks arrived in Belgium at the end of June and are now available to our customers during the event. Often drivers think a diesel-powered truck is more powerful than an electric one. Since our customers get behind the wheel themselves, it is easier to convince them of the phenomenal tractive power, driving comfort and silence in the cabin.”
One-pedal-drive
“The trucks we are having tested here today are the latest models of the eActros,” says driver trainer at Mercedes Trucks, Paavo Decraene. “This truck is seven metres long, has a height of 3.70 metres and is loaded with about 5-6 tonnes. So we have a combination weight of about 16 tonnes.”
“An electric truck usually has only one gear. Our electric trucks have two. We have a departure gear to avoid overloading the engine. Furthermore, this truck is equipped with numerous options such as adaptive cruise control and one-pedal-drive with five modes. The latter feature allows you to accelerate and come to a near complete stop using a single pedal. Moreover, this system also optimises battery capacity where you can seriously extend the truck’s autonomy,” says Decraene. “Especially while driving in urban areas, this is a great application.”
Those who place an order now will get their truck delivered this year
There are two electric variants of the latest eActros model: the 300 (with a range of 300 kilometres) and the 400 (range of 400 kilometres). “Both are distribution trucks so the battery capacity is more than enough to drive around for a whole day without additional recharging,” says Vanderperren. “Compared to the diesel truck, the delivery time of an electric variant is quite short. Those who place an order now will get their truck delivered this year.”
