Global News Roundup: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Targets Long-Haul Market with BEVs

Following the market launch of the eActros for heavy-duty distribution transport in 2021, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is systematically pressing ahead with the introduction of additional battery-electric models.

The eActros LongHaul, with a range of around 500 kilometers on one battery charge, is scheduled to be ready for series production in 2024. The first prototypes of the 40-ton truck are already undergoing internal tests, and Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ engineers are planning to start trials of the e-truck on public roads this year. The eActros LongHaul will enable high-performance charging — so-called “megawatt charging.”

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is also preparing additional variants of the eActros, and as early as July, the eEconic for municipal use is scheduled to roll off the production line at the Wörth plant in Germany as the second all-electric series production vehicle.

The goal of Mercedes-Benz Trucks is to increase the share of locally CO2-neutral new vehicles in Europe to more than 50% by 2030.

Association Calls on European Governments to Electrify Busiest Truck Stops

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association is calling on national governments to ensure that the most-used truck stops are equipped with suitable charging infrastructure by 2027 at the latest.

The association has released data, collected by Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, highlighting the need for European states to construct charging infrastructure at high-use truck stops across the continent.

Fraunhofer ISI analyzed the GPS coordinates of 400,000 trucks over a period of 12 months, focusing on the duration of stops at individual locations. The analysis found that 10% of the locations most frequented by trucks in Europe (over 3,000 truck stops), account for around 50% of total stops made by trucks.

“Given that charging stations that are suited to the specific needs of trucks are almost completely missing today, the challenge ahead is huge,” said Martin Lundstedt, chairperson of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board and CEO of Volvo Group. “That is why we want to help governments and industry stakeholders to direct their investments to where they are most needed.”

News Briefs from Around the World

Regional-haul BEV: Scania is introducing a new generation of battery-electric trucks, available with sleeper cabs, designed for regional long-haul. Customers will be able to operate straight trucks or tractor-trailer combinations. Ranges vary with weight, configuration and topography, but a 4x2 tractor with six batteries can expect up to 350 km, or close to 220 miles, between each charging.

Tire testing: Hankook Tire opened a new proving ground in Taean, South Korea. The largest proving ground in Asia, the Hankook Technoring covers 311 acres, the equivalent of 235 football fields. Its 13 testing tracks can test tires in development on all types of vehicles, from supercars to trucks and buses.

Solar trailers: Sono Motors and European trailer-maker Chereau have partnered to develop a next-generation fleet of refrigerated trucks and trailers that are powered in part by integrated Sono solar technology. Sono will be equipping the roof and sides of an existing Chereau trailer with 54 solar modules.

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