Daimler Truck, a leading global manufacturer of commercial vehicles, unveiled its vision for sustainable transportation ahead of the IAA Transportation 2024 trade show in Hanover. The company’s primary focus is on decarbonization and digitalization. At the forefront of its display is the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 truck, designed to reduce CO2 emissions from long-distance haulage, which accounts for two-thirds of truck-related emissions. The eActros 600 boasts a battery capacity of over 600 kilowatt hours and an efficient in-house electric drive axle, allowing for a range of 500 kilometers without charging. With intermediate charging during legally required breaks, the truck can cover over 1,000 kilometers daily.
In a summer test run, two prototypes traveled more than 15,000 kilometers across 22 European countries, demonstrating the eActros 600’s efficiency. The trucks, each carrying a 40-ton load, exclusively used public charging stations. One prototype achieved an average consumption of 103 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers—equivalent to about 10 liters of diesel. Daily consumption varied based on route and conditions, ranging from 85 to 140 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers. Journalists also tested the truck’s performance, confirming the 500-kilometer range on a single charge.
Production of the eActros 600 will begin in November at Daimler’s Wörth plant, with components sourced from other Daimler plants. The first customer vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of 2024. Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum emphasized that the company is ready with zero-emission trucks, urging governments and industry to expand public charging infrastructure.
Daimler Truck has already secured 2,000 orders for the eActros 600 since sales began last year. To further support e-mobility, Daimler launched the TruckCharge brand, offering solutions for electric infrastructure, fleet management, and cashless charging.
At IAA 2024, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and FUSO are offering self-drive experiences, including the all-electric FUSO Next Generation eCanter and hydrogen-powered GenH2 Truck. Daimler also highlighted its move toward software-defined vehicles, which aim to improve safety, efficiency, and connectivity through real-time data processing and over-the-air updates.
The event also marked a leadership transition, with Karin Rådström set to become CEO of Daimler Truck in October 2024, succeeding Martin Daum. Rådström will lead Daimler Truck’s continued transformation toward decarbonization and digitalization.
