Mercedes-Benz Trucks is planning an extraordinary event to spotlight crucial future topics in the transport industry: electrification, traffic safety, and the enhancement of the truck driver's profession. On June 4, 2025, the manufacturer plans to drive its battery-electric long-haul truck, the eActros 600, with a trailer, more than 100 kilometers continuously in reverse — thereby bringing a new "GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS" title to Germany.
"Our eActros 600 stands like no other electric truck with a star before it, proving that the right electric vehicles are here. However, more momentum is needed to create further purchasing incentives for our customers and to advance the development of charging infrastructure," said Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Product Engineering.
The record attempt will take place at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt. The choice of the closed circuit is intended to ensure maximum safety. After successfully completing the record drive, driver Marco Hellgrewe, the project's initiator, plans an additional approximately 30-kilometer reverse drive on public roads to the Daimler Truck Global Parts Center in Halberstadt. The new spare parts logistics location will be officially opened on July 10 and is expected to take over the global supply for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
"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 carry out
the reverse drive fully electrically demonstrates a pioneering spirit with which we, as drivers of transformation, can identify. At the same time, the event gives us the opportunity to give important future topics a new push in the public eye," Müller-Finkeldei continued.
Hellgrewe, a Bundeswehr officer and truck enthusiast from Werneuchen near Berlin, had already set a reverse driving world record in 2008. His record at the time of 64 kilometers is now being challenged by a fully electric version. The current world record, set in 2020 in the USA with a diesel truck, is about 89 kilometers.
"As a passionate truck driver, it is an honor for me to attempt to set this record anew. Since my first record drive, much has happened technologically — and so far, no one worldwide has taken 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 great challenge to drive in reverse for so many hours, but the previous test drives went very well," said Marco Hellgrewe, initiator of the electric record attempt and driver of the eActros 600.
The eActros 600, with series production starting at the end of 2024 at the Wörth plant, offers the necessary conditions for the project 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 gross train weight of up to 44 tons and was recently named "International Truck of the Year 2025."
To support societal causes, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is collaborating with the associations Blicki e.V. and PROFI – Pro Fahrer-Image e.V. as part of the record event. Their logos will adorn the record truck. Blicki e.V. is committed to traffic education for children and plans training sessions at schools in Halberstadt. PROFI is committed to increasing societal recognition of the truck driving profession. Mercedes-Benz Trucks also supports both organizations financially.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Engelhardt, Chairman of the Board of PROFI – Pro Fahrer-Image e.V., commented: "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 provides an excellent platform to increase appreciation for this profession. Moreover, the event demonstrates how innovative technologies can make a positive contribution to the future of transport."
And Dirk Hendler, Managing Director of Blicki e.V., added: "This project is a great opportunity to raise awareness among children and families about traffic safety. We are pleased to be part of it and to be able to spread our message in this way. With our nationwide
workshops under the patronage of the Federal Minister of Transport, we have already prepared over 80,000 elementary school children to handle large vehicles safely."
The safety features of the eActros 600 are also a focal point of the event. Systems such as Active Brake Assist 6, Active Sideguard Assist 2, or the MirrorCam, which offers crucial advantages, especially when driving in reverse, are intended to enhance road safety. The MirrorCam helps with wide-angle view, distance lines, and corner guidance, particularly during maneuvering and when visibility is restricted.
With the spectacular reverse drive, Mercedes-Benz Trucks aims not only to set a world record but also to send a strong signal: for innovative e-mobility in long-distance transport, for more safety on the roads, and for greater appreciation of the people behind the wheel.
"In terms of traffic safety, we as a manufacturer have always been one of the pioneers with our assistance systems. Our eActros 600 even surpasses legal requirements in some cases. Additionally, the awareness of all road users must be sharpened," said truck expert Rainer Müller-Finkeldei.
Given the increasing shortage of drivers, it is essential that truck drivers receive the appropriate recognition for their contribution to society. Driving in reverse is a central part of their daily work, and what the drivers achieve in this area is often nothing short of an art.
