Mercedes-Benz Trucks has announced the next steps with its eActros electric truck after absolving 30,000 km of testing. Starting this spring, the German Logistik Schmitt will use the eActros in real-life three-phase operation.

　　These three testing phases of Mercedes’ electric truck will be carried out in the southern German region of Baden-Wurttemberg. The first phase will involve field tests of the 25-tonne eActros from spring 2019 onward with logistics company Logistik Schmitt who will conduct daily tours of approx. 168 kilometres in 3-shift operations. The second phase and third phases will involve larger models in comparative testing against catenary electric trucks that use overhead charging.

　　The eActros being tested have an architecture that is entirely based on the electric drive with a large proportion of specific parts, largely using the frame of the Mercedes-Benz Actros. The drive comes from two electric motors near the wheel hubs on the rear axle with an output is 126 kW each, and a maximum torque of 485 Nm each. This means that the driving output is on par with a diesel truck. The trucks lithium-ion batteries have a capacity of 240 kWh. A full charge takes between two and eleven hours (at 150 or 20 kW respectively) depending on the available charging capacity. Daimler claims the trucks have proven a reliable range of 200 km.