Cory Gunther
While all the attention is on consumer EVs, big brands like Daimler Trucks are busy building the next generation of electric semi trucks. This weekend, Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Trucks revealed its latest electric Semi, the eActros LongHaul, its longest-range electric Semi to date.
Tesla isn’t just facing stiff competition on its sedans and SUVs but also in the big-rig space. A commercial division of Mercedes, known as Daimler Trucks, has been busy announcing several electric semis over the last few years. And while the company first shared information on the eActros LongHaul in 2020, the truck made its official debut over the weekend at the annual IAA International Motor Show.
According to Electrek, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz Trucks already have an electrified class 8 Semi truck and other vehicles, but the latest long-range Semi for Mercedes kicks things up a notch.
During the announcement, Mercedes confirmed its new eActros LongHaul sports three huge battery packs delivering 600 kWh of power. That, along with two electric motors, should be enough for plenty of long hauls upwards of 300 miles on a single charge.
And while Mercedes-Benz didn’t confirm if that’s with a full load of cargo, that’s the assumption, not to mention previous electric Semi releases give stats representative of real-world usage. For example, Tesla claims its new Semi can go 300 or 500 miles on a charge with 86,000 lbs cargo, depending on the model. Here’s what Daimler Trucks had to say:
“Mercedes-Benz Trucks has announced additional information on the eActros LongHaul series. Three battery packs provide an installed total capacity of over 600 kWh and two electric motors, as part of a new e-axle, generate a continuous output of 400 kW and a peak output of over 600 kW.”
Mercedes says the large battery pack can go from 20 to 80% charged in “well under 30 minutes,” but that will, of course, depend on the type of charging station. Speaking of the battery cells, the eActros LongHaul uses LFP cells which the company says will increase longevity for customers.
Near-production prototypes will undergo testing early next year, while we don’t expect commercial availability until sometime in 2024.
via Electrek
