Mercedes-Benz Trucks is planning an extraordinary campaign to bring important future topics of the transport industry into the spotlight: electrification, road safety, and enhancing the image of the truck driving profession. On June 4, 2025, the manufacturer aims to set a new "GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS" title for Germany by driving its battery-electric long-haul truck eActros 600 with trailer more than 100 kilometers continuously in reverse.
"Our eActros 600 stands like no electric truck with a star before it, proving that the right electric vehicles are available. But more momentum is needed to create further purchasing incentives for our customers and to advance the development of charging infrastructure," says Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Product Engineering.
The record attempt is set to take place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt. The choice of the closed circular track aims to ensure maximum safety. After successfully completing the record drive, driver Marco Hellgrewe, the initiator of the project, additionally plans a roughly 30-kilometer reverse drive on public roads to the Global Parts Center of Daimler Truck in Halberstadt. The new spare parts logistics location will be officially opened on July 10 and is intended to manage the global supply for Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the future.
"We are very pleased that Marco Hellgrewe first thought of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and our eActros 600
for his new record attempt. His idea to conduct the reverse drive fully electrically demonstrates a pioneering spirit with which we identify as drivers of transformation. At the same time, the action offers us the opportunity to give significant future topics a new push in the public eye," adds Müller-Finkeldei.
Hellgrewe, a German Armed Forces officer and truck enthusiast from Werneuchen near Berlin, had already set a reverse driving world record in 2008. His then record of 64 kilometers is now challenged by a fully electric variant. The current world record, set in 2020 in the USA with a diesel truck, stands at around 89 kilometers.
"As a passionate truck driver, it's an honor for me to attempt to set this record anew. Since my first record drive, much has changed technologically – and so far, no one worldwide has set this record with an electric truck. The eActros 600 stands for the future of electromobility in long-distance transport and shows how manufacturers are successfully breaking new ground. It is a big challenge to drive in reverse for so many hours, but the previous test drives have gone very well," says Marco Hellgrewe, initiator of the electric record attempt and driver of the eActros 600.
The eActros 600, set to start series production in late 2024 at the Wörth plant,
offers the necessary prerequisites for the endeavor with a battery capacity of over 600 kilowatt-hours and a range of up to 500 kilometers without intermediate charging. The truck is designed for a combined total weight of up to 44 tons and was recently named "International Truck of the Year 2025."
To support social causes, Mercedes-Benz Trucks collaborates with the organizations Blicki e.V. and PROFI – Pro Fahrer-Image e.V. in the context of the record campaign. Their logos will adorn the record truck. Blicki e.V. is committed to children's traffic education and plans training sessions at schools in Halberstadt. PROFI advocates for greater societal recognition of the driving profession. Mercedes-Benz Trucks additionally supports both organizations financially.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Engelhardt, Chairman of the Board of PROFI – Pro Fahrer-Image e.V., states: "We are very happy to support this endeavor because it raises awareness of the important role of professional drivers in our society. The record attempt offers an excellent platform to increase appreciation for this profession. Moreover, the action shows how innovative technologies can make a positive contribution to the future of transport."
And Dirk Hendler, Managing Director of Blicki e.V., adds: "This project is a great opportunity to raise awareness among children and families for road safety. We are pleased to be part of it and to spread our message
in this way. With our nationwide workshops under the patronage of the Federal Minister of Transport, we have already made over 80,000 elementary school children fit for dealing with large vehicles."
The focus of the action is also on the safety equipment of the eActros 600. Systems such as Active Brake Assist 6, Active Sideguard Assist 2, or the MirrorCam, which offers decisive advantages especially when reversing, aim to increase road safety. The MirrorCam aids in maneuvering and restricted visibility through wide-angle view, distance lines, and curve following.
With the spectacular reverse drive, Mercedes-Benz Trucks aims not only to set a world record but also to make a strong statement: for innovative electric mobility in long-distance transport, for more safety on the roads, and for a higher appreciation of the people behind the wheel.
"In terms of road safety, we as manufacturers have always been one of the pioneers with our assistance systems. Our eActros 600 even partially exceeds legal requirements. Additionally, awareness among all road users must be sharpened," says truck expert Rainer Müller-Finkeldei.
In view of the increasing driver shortage, it is essential that truck drivers also receive due recognition for their contributions to society. Driving in reverse is a central part of their daily work, and what drivers accomplish in this aspect is often nothing short of
