The near-series production prototype was presented at eMobility Days in Berlin earlier this month. The orderbook is now open with series production set for 2026.

Besides developing these trucks, the project includes investing in production facilities and feasibility studies into the European hydrogen value chain. The funding is to complement existing Daimler Truck projects focusing on liquefied hydrogen refuelling technology, storage and refilling logistics.

Daimler plans on delivering another 50 of these e-trucks before the end of the year, with the majority heading to European dealerships as demonstrator models.

The Gaggenau plant manufactures axle and transmission components, such as shafts, gear wheels, and housings which are then sent to the Kassel plant, where the components are assembled into complete electric axles. Gaggenau also produces structural parts for the truck’s cab.

This new mechatronics laboratory is designed to increase the efficiency of software verification and validation and is expected to cut costs by some 70-80% compared with traditional methods.

Dutch logistics firm Simon Loos has placed an order for 75 Mercedes Benz eActros 600 long-haul battery-electric trucks. Deliveries are scheduled for Q1 2025.

The new truck with the Cummins-derived engine is believed to be the first of global engine partnership between Daimler and Cummins for medium duty engines at Euro VI and beyond.

Puchert is currently CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Brasil and Latin America. He will become the new the new CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks effective December 1, 2024. 

The Malaysian government mandated that all diesel fuels for commercial vehicles comply with Euro V specifications as of April 1, 2021.

At IAA Transportation 2024 last month, I experienced firsthand the magnetic effect of the “Tesla phenomenon”. Towards the end of a series of keynote speeches delivered by some of the industry’s most important executives, Dan Priestley, who heads the development of Tesla’s heavy electric ‘Semi’ truck, took to the stage to provide an update on the company’s plans for the commercial vehicle segment. I had a place towards the front, having sat through the preceding talks that afternoon, which were reasonably well attended; however, looking behind just before Priestley’s entry to the stage, I saw a new crowd of attendees filling out the entire space.

The jury praised the concept of the truck, which was first unveiled at the last IAA Transportation event in 2022: originally called ‘eActros Long Haul’, the idea was to develop a truck capable of covering up to 500 kilometres on a single charge.

Rådström has been a key figure in the company since joining its Board of Management in 2021, where she led the Mercedes-Benz Trucks division. She played a significant role in driving profitability and advancing the sustainability agenda, including launching new battery-electric trucks.