Mercedes-Benz Trucks is taking another step toward making battery-electric long-haul trucking practical, according to the company.

The OEM is putting megawatt charging technology through real-world testing across Northern Europe.

Long-Distance Field Trials

Mercedes-Benz recently completed a 2,400-kilometer long-distance field test using two MCS-compatible eActros 600 battery-electric tractors. 

The runs were aimed at evaluating how the emerging Megawatt Charging System (MCS) performs under real operating conditions. 

The route ran from Mercedes-Benz’s Wörth am Rhein plant in Germany through the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and into southern Sweden. It included charging stops at both public and private MCS truck charging locations.

The goal of the test was twofold: to validate vehicle compatibility with megawatt chargers from multiple infrastructure providers and to assess charging performance, thermal management, and usability in long-haul duty cycles, including winter conditions.

“The key challenges in megawatt charging lie in harmonizing the vehicle with various charging systems,” said Peter Ziegler, head of e-charging components for Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “At the same time, the extreme charging currents place high demands on thermal management. This test run allows us to evaluate those factors under real-world operating conditions.”

Cutting Charging Time for Long-Haul Operations

MCS is widely viewed as a critical enabler for battery-electric long-haul trucking, the OEM said. This is area it said vehicle utilization and downtime remain major concerns for fleets. 

With charging power levels of up to 1,000 kW, Mercedes-Benz said MCS significantly reduces recharge times compared with today’s Combined Charging System (CCS) standards.

The eActros 600 can recharge from 20% to 80% state of charge in about 30 minutes using megawatt charging. That window aligns closely with mandatory driver rest breaks, allowing fleets to add range without extending dwell time.

For freight operators, faster charging opens the door to higher daily utilization and more flexible route planning -- provided infrastructure keeps pace.

While public MCS locations remain limited in Europe today, Mercedes-Benz sees the technology as a cornerstone for making battery-electric trucks economically viable in long-haul transport. The company is actively working with charging providers and standards bodies to accelerate deployment.

Standardization Key to Infrastructure Buildout

The MCS standard is being developed through CharIN, the global charging interface initiative, in collaboration with truck OEMs and charging suppliers. 

Mercedes-Benz Trucks said uniform interfaces between vehicles and chargers are essential to building a pan-European fast-charging network for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

For fleets, standardization reduces risk when investing in electric trucks by ensuring vehicles can access charging infrastructure from multiple providers without compatibility issues.

The long-distance test also allowed engineers to study charging curves, average charging power, and overall system performance across different MCS installations. That data will feed directly into production validation and customer readiness.

eActros 600 Designed for Long-Haul Duty

The eActros 600 is Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ flagship battery-electric long-haul tractor. 

It is equipped with three lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, each rated at 207 kWh, for a total installed capacity of 621 kWh. LFP chemistry allows more than 95% of usable capacity, supporting longer range without increasing battery size.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks rates the eActros 600 for a range of approximately 500 kilometers (about 310 miles) without intermediate charging at a gross train weight of 40 tons. 

With opportunity charging during legally required driver breaks, the truck is designed to cover more than 1,000 kilometers per day on suitable routes.

The vehicle is engineered for a combined gross train weight of up to 44 tons and offers a payload of roughly 22 tons with a standard semi-trailer under EU regulations; higher payloads are possible depending on national rules.

Infrastructure Still the Limiting Factor

While the technology demonstration highlights the promise of megawatt charging, Mercedes-Benz Trucks acknowledged that infrastructure availability remains the determining factor for fleet adoption. 

Only a small number of public MCS truck charging sites are currently operational in Europe, though multiple corridor-based buildouts are underway.

For fleets evaluating battery-electric long haul, the company sees MCS as a necessary bridge between vehicle capability and real-world operations—one that could ultimately make electric trucks competitive with diesel in high-utilization freight lanes.

As infrastructure expands, Mercedes-Benz Trucks believes megawatt charging will play a central role in accelerating the transition to zero-emission long-haul transport.