With a 124.7-kilometer backward drive on the racetrack in Oschersleben, Daimler Truck has set a new Guinness World Record. The battery-electric eActros 600 completed the course along with a trailer in about six and a half hours – at an average speed of 20 kilometers per hour. The previous record from 2020 stood at 89 kilometers and was achieved with a diesel truck in the USA.
Daimler Truck states that the action was more than just a pure record attempt. The manufacturer wants to set a public signal with the backward drive: for the acceptance of electromobility, for more traffic safety, and for a stronger social recognition of truck drivers.
“I am incredibly proud to have brought the record back to Germany together with Mercedes-Benz Trucks – and for the first time worldwide electrically,” said Marco Hellgrewe.
The 50-year-old Bundeswehr officer from Brandenburg initiated the record attempt and sat behind the wheel of the eActros 600 during the drive. He sees the achievement as a contribution to enhancing the image of drivers:
“Many people from various social fields, including numerous truck drivers and driving students, have approached me about the action and given me very positive feedback.”
For Hellgrewe, the backward drive was not a premiere.
As early as 2008, he had set a first record with a diesel truck. He also wanted to take on the subsequent approximately 30-kilometer backward drive on public roads to the new Global Parts Center of Daimler Truck in Halberstadt himself – under police escort and after a rest period.
The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, with its tight curves, posed special requirements for the vehicle and driver. Hellgrewe completed a total of 476 curves during the record drive. The eActros 600 was comfortable and stable to drive, Hellgrewe emphasized. Driver assistance systems and the MirrorCam system significantly contributed to safety and steerability.
Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Product Engineering at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, praised the driver:
“We wholeheartedly congratulate Marco Hellgrewe on the successful world record drive. We are especially pleased that he set the new record purely battery-electrically with our eActros 600.” From the company's perspective, the action sends a signal for change in the industry: “We want to promote more engagement to create purchasing incentives for our customers and to advance the expansion of charging infrastructure faster.”
Daimler Truck emphasizes that the technical equipment of the vehicle contributed to the record. The MirrorCam system assists drivers in maneuvering, particularly through distance lines and a wide-angle view when
reversing. Together with other systems such as the turn assistant, the Front Guard Assist, and the Active Sideguard Assist, it contributes to increased traffic safety. However, according to the manufacturer, the driver remains fully responsible for the vehicle at all times.
The action received support from partners PROFI – Pro Fahrer-Image and Blicki. Both organizations used the backward drive to draw attention to their work. PROFI board member Prof. Dirk Engelhardt explained:
“We gladly supported this endeavor because it raises awareness of the important role of professional drivers in our society.”
Blicki Managing Director Dirk Hendler also sees the action as a platform for traffic safety work with children:
“This project is a great opportunity to raise awareness of traffic safety among children and families.”
According to Daimler Truck, the eActros 600 is meant to represent the future of long-distance transport. With over 600-kilowatt hours of battery capacity and a range of 500 kilometers without intermediate charging, the truck is designed for realistic deployment scenarios. Using legal driving breaks and available charging points, it can cover over 1,000 kilometers in a day. The range is partly due to the LFP battery technology used, which allows high utilization of cell capacity and a long lifetime. After ten
years, the battery condition should still be above 80 percent.
The vehicle has been in serial production since the end of 2024 at the Wörth plant. In initial practical tests, such as on the “European Testing Tour,” over 15,000 kilometers have already been covered across 22 countries. Additionally, in spring, the eActros 600 was awarded the “International Truck of the Year 2025.”
Daimler Truck still sees a hurdle in the broad market introduction due to the sluggish expansion of charging infrastructure. Currently, there are fewer than 1,000 suitable charging points for heavy commercial vehicles in Europe. With its own semi-public charging network called Truckcharge and the joint venture Milence, Daimler Truck aims to counteract this. Truckcharge should provide more than 3,000 fast charging points in Europe by 2030. The Milence network, supported by Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, aims to establish 1,700 charging points by 2027.
The world record drive ends in Halberstadt – a central element of Daimler Truck's global spare parts logistics is being established there with the new Global Parts Center. From this year on, 20 regional logistics centers will be supplied on 270,000 square meters of storage space, including locations in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle
