Mercedes-Benz Trucks unveiled its new eActros series this morning via an online event. The truck’s maximum battery capacity enables ranges of up to 400 kilometres to be achieved, says the company. When connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need a little longer than 1 hour to charge from 20% to 80%.
The standard model of the eActros is planned to roll off the production line in Wörth am Rhein (Germany) in autumn 2021. The findings from 2018’s “eActros innovation fleet” and the close exchanges with customers have both been incorporated into the development of the series-production model.
Alongside this, proven features such as MirrorCam and the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive have been adopted in the standard specification.
Range up to 400 km + recuperation
The battery of the eActros series-production model is equipped with either three or four battery packs, each with an energy capacity of around 105 kWh. The maximum battery capacity of 420 kWh2 enables ranges of up to 400 kilometres to be achieved.
The technological centrepiece of the electric truck is the drive unit – a rigid electric axle with two integrated electric motors and a two-speed transmission. Both liquid-cooled motors generate a continuous output of 330 kW as well as a top performance of 400 kW.
Plus, if the vehicle is driven particularly foresightedly, recuperation enables the vehicle to recover electrical energy. The energy obtained in this way during braking is fed back into the batteries of the eActros and is again made available for use by the drive system.
1 hour to charge from 20% to 80%
The two integrated electric motors offer great efficiency and constant delivery of power with high starting torque. The provision of immediate torque by the electric motors which are coupled with a two-speed transmission ensures powerful acceleration, impressive driving comfort and driving dynamics which enable more relaxed, low-stress driving than a conventional diesel-powered truck.
Plus, the low centre of gravity is also favourable when it comes to cornering.
In full-load operations, drivers enjoy a noise reduction of 10 dB inside the cab, which roughly corresponds to a halving of perceptible noise volume. Thanks to the low noise level, night-time deliveries are also possible.
Contrary to a diesel truck, there are also noticeably fewer vibrations.
The eActros can be charged with up to 160 kW: when connected to a regular 400A DC charging station, the three battery packs need a little longer than 1 hour to charge from 20% to 80%.
Mapping tool and Multimedia Cockpit
Using the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive, which comes as standard in the eActros, the driver remains constantly up-to-date with the charge level of the batteries and the remaining range, as well as the current and average energy consumption.
Fleet managers can use the Fleetboard portal’s digital solutions to efficiently control their fleet. This includes such things as an individually developed Charge Management System for creating charging profiles, and a logbook containing detailed information on driving times, downtimes and charging breaks.
There is also a mapping tool that shows the vehicle’s current location in real-time, as well as whether it is in motion, parked or being charged, not to mention how high the battery charge is.
Safety for the driver and other road users
Special crash elements with an aluminium profile protect the batteries in the event of a side-on crash, while sensors integrated into these can detect a crash scenario. In such a case, the HV battery would be automatically isolated from the rest of the vehicle and the driver always has the option of actuating the HV shut off at any time in the cab.
To ensure the vehicle is easier for road users like pedestrians and cyclists to hear, the eActros comes as standard with an external Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).
Also assuring additional safety when turning off to the nearside is the Sideguard Assist which comes as standard on the eActros.
Another system that is part of the standard scope of equipment is the fifth-generation Active Brake Assist emergency braking system with pedestrian recognition. This can help to reduce the risk of a collision in the longitudinal direction on urban streets, out-of-town roads or motorways.
Photo credit @ Daimler
