Mercedes

German truck manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Trucks has successfully completed summer testing of its eActros 600 battery electric truck in Spain, during which it was made to suffer through temperatures up to 44 degrees Celsius.

The five-week testing programme undertaken in Andalusia in southern Spain focused on measurements and functional testing of various components in the eActros 600.

Testing included assessing the functionality of the air conditioning system at high temperatures, performance of the electric powertrain and battery thermal management, and measurements during charging processes at rapid charging stations.

Upon completion of the five weeks, a prototype eActros 600 completed the 2,000+ kilometre return journey from Granada via Valencia, Barcelona, Montpellier, and Lyon back to the Mercedes-Benz Trucks development and testing center in Wörth am Rhein.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks plan to premiere the eActros 600 on October 10, with series production expected to get underway in 2024.

“We have subjected the eActros 600 to rigorous testing procedures since last year,” said Dr. Konrad Götz, deputy head of global testing Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

“After winter testing in Finland in freezing cold temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Celsius and initial tests on public roads, the electric truck now had to prove itself at over 40 degrees Celsius in Spain. The eActros 600 mastered the challenging tests with ease. In the next step, we’re now looking forward to testing in real-life operation with our customers.”

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 includes three battery packs providing over 600kWh and two electric motors generating continuous output of 400kW and peak output of over 600kWas part of the company’s new e-axle.

When fully charged, the eActros 600 is expected to be able to deliver around 500 kilometres of range.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will be producing both tractor and rigid variants at market launch, offering customers a long-haul electric truck to meet most needs.

The three battery packs utilise lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology and are capable of being charged from 20% to 80% in under 30 minutes at a charging station with an output of around 1MW.

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.