Mercedes-Benz Trucks will expand its battery-electric truck portfolio with additional variants based on the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. The expanded portfolio will include, for example, tractor units and flatbed chassis with additional wheelbases, variants with two battery packs, and alternative long cab variants in various roof forms. The new vehicle versions will display the essential characteristics features of the second-generation E-Truck designed for long-haul transport.
Self-developed electric drive axle
The technological strengths of the eActros 600, which was first introduced to the market last year with the new ProCabin, include a self-developed electric drive axle, the lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP) known for its long life, and the 800 V on-board voltage, along with the new Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 and comprehensive assistance systems. The first new models can be ordered from the autumn and will partially roll off the line at the Wörth am Rhein plant in 2025.
Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “The areas of application and thus the needs of our customers for battery-electric trucks are very diverse, particularly with regards to payload and range.”
From 2026: eArocs 400
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has had electric trucks in its portfolio since 2021. Initially, the eActros 300/400 was introduced as the first battery-electric vehicle for heavy-duty distribution transport, followed a year later by the eEconic, destined for municipal waste disposal operations. The series production of the second model generation with the new battery-electric flagship eActros 600 began at the end of 2024. From 2026, a small series of the recently presented new eArocs 400 for urban construction transport at Bauma 2025 will start. This also incorporates key components from the eActros 600, including, for example, the front box and the LFP batteries.
In the course of expanding the battery-electric truck portfolio, production of the first-generation eActros 300/400 will be discontinued at the end of the year. The production of the eEconic remains unaffected and will continue.
About the eActros 600
Mercedes-Benz Trucks celebrated the series launch of the eActros 600 at the end of November last year at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth. Since December 2024, it has been delivered to customers. The high battery capacity of
over 600 kWh – hence the type designation 600 – as well as a new, efficient electric drive axle of its own development allow for a range of 500 km without intermediate charging for the eActros 600. This range is achieved under practical conditions with a total train weight of 40 tons and can be significantly exceeded depending on driving style and route. The eActros 600 can even cover well over 1,000 km during the day. Intermediate charging during the legally mandated driver breaks makes this possible, provided charging options are available.
The eActros 600 features three LFP battery packs, each with 207 kWh. These offer an installed total capacity of 621 kWh. In contrast to other battery cell technologies, over 95% of the installed capacity can be used in LFP technology. This allows for a greater range with the same battery capacity. The vehicle is technically engineered for a combined total train weight of up to 44 tons. With a standard semi-trailer, the eActros 600 in the EU has a payload of about 22 tons. In some cases,
national law may allow for a higher payload.
The need for charging infrastructure
For the fastest possible ramp-up of locally CO2-neutral road freight transport with battery-electric trucks, the charging infrastructure is one of the crucial points. However, there is still a great need for catch-up here. Currently, there are less than 1,000 charging points for heavy commercial vehicles across Europe. To at least partially compensate for the existing deficit, Daimler Truck presented a concept for its own semi-public charging network in March of this year. By 2030, it plans to include more than 3,000 fast-charging points in Europe, making it the largest in Europe. The new so-called semi-public charging option for electric trucks is intended to allow Daimler Truck brand TruckCharge depot operators to open their charging infrastructure for external paid use. This is intended to supplement the public charging offerings, including those from Milence. Milence was established in July 2022 as a joint venture by Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, and is committed to establishing and operating around 1,700 high-performance public charging points in
