Electric Truck Excels in Spanish Heat

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【Summary】Mercedes-Benz has successfully tested its all-electric eActros 600 semi-truck in Spain's scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 111 degrees Fahrenheit. The truck, which has a range of around 310 miles, underwent testing for battery thermal management, fast charging, and air conditioning functionality. It can charge from 20 to 80 percent in 30 minutes and has a peak output of 815 horsepower. After completing the tests, the truck drove back to Germany on its own power.

FutureCar Staff Sep 02, 2023 5:03 PM PT

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has successfully completed the testing of its all-electric eActros 600 semi-truck in Spain's hot climate, according to a press release from the brand. The vehicle endured five weeks of testing in temperatures around 111 degrees Fahrenheit in Andalusia, southern Spain.

The commercial division of the German automaker is well-known in Europe, where it sells various models of the Actros and Axor series semi-trucks, including electric and gas-powered versions.

The eActros 600 shares a similar appearance with the gas-powered version and the eActros 300 trailer. It is equipped with three battery packs that combine to provide a capacity exceeding 600 kilowatt-hours. The truck reportedly has a range of approximately 310 miles. However, this falls short of the Tesla Semi, which claims to have an estimated real-world range of 500 miles with a full load of 82,000 pounds.

During the latest pre-production trial, Mercedes-Benz engineers tested the battery thermal management, fast charging capabilities, and the functionality of the air conditioning system under high temperatures.

The battery of the eActros 600 consists of lithium-iron phosphate cells, which offer longevity and more usable energy, according to Mercedes-Benz. The brand also states that the truck can charge from 20 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a one-megawatt charger. The vehicle is powered by an e-axle with two motors, capable of generating a peak output of 815 horsepower.

After completing the tests, the truck autonomously drove back from Spain to the Mercedes-Benz Trucks development and testing center in Worth am Rhein, Germany, covering a distance of over 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers). The truck, previously known as the eActros LongHaul, is scheduled to make its world premiere on October 10, 2023, and will enter production in 2024 for the European market.

Dr. Konrad Götz, the deputy head of global testing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, expressed satisfaction with the testing procedures conducted on the eActros 600, stating, "We have subjected the eActros 600 to rigorous testing procedures since last year. After winter testing in Finland in freezing temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, and initial tests on public roads, the electric truck now had to prove itself in Spain's scorching heat of over 40 degrees Celsius. The eActros 600 successfully passed these challenging tests. In the next phase, we are excited to conduct real-life operations testing with our customers."