“Sure, diesel is high, but electric trucks don’t work.” It’s a common refrain these days – especially from people selling diesel trucks. Perception lags reality, however, and the reality is that these electric semi trucks are covering more than 600 miles per day, seven days a week.
Over the course of the last year, Hendrik Müller, managing partner of DEFRU Logistik GmbH has transformed his company’s shipping fleet, switching thirty of their HD prime movers (semi trucks) to electric power and immediately putting the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600s to work, covering 1,000 km (~620 miles) of German highways each and every day.
Benjamin Budick, a Senior Manager, Own Retail Mercedes-Benz Trucks Dortmund & Haan, took to LinkedIn to announce the successful deployment, and posted some great pictures of the handover showing the big Mercedes trucks in full DEFRU livery.
Mercedes’ eActros 600 packs a whopping, 621 kWh battery that helps the trucks cover 500 km per charge, allowing fleets to move goods between ports and regional fulfillment centers, charging along the way, or while they’re getting loaded and unloaded at their destination, all the while saving the fleet serious money – even before the latest Iran War sent diesel prices skyrocketing.
That big battery sends electrons to Mercedes-Benz’s proprietary electric drive axles, which deliver 1.61 kWh / mile efficiency while rolling out at an average of 36 metric tons (~79,400 lbs.) combined vehicle weight – specs that rivals the theoretical efficiency claims of the Tesla Semi. Except in the real world. And in winter.
The company recently expanded its eActros lineup to include over 40 possible configurations, giving customers a choice of two cab designs, two or three battery packs, multiple wheelbases and new axle configurations, covering everything from short-haul drayage to serious, off highway vocational work.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.