Mercedes-Benz’ eActros electric semi trucks arrive in Chile

Mercedes-Benz’ truck division has reached a major milestone in their South American expansion, delivering their first, eActros 600 electric semi truck in Chile earlier this week.

With a range of 500 km (~310 miles), the Mercedes-Benz/Daimler eActros trucks being deployed by Compañía de Cervecerías Unidas (CCU), one of the largest beverage producers in Chile and South America and a client of Cavalier, the ability complete several of the company’s existing routes without the need to stop and charge played a key role in deciding on the electric truck – but convenience isn’t the only reason for CCU to go electric.

“Chile is one of the most severely affected regions by climate change and has set ambitious climate protection goals and programs,” reads Daimler’s official copy. “The country aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. At the same time, it is considered one of the most promising markets for renewable energy worldwide. Solar and wind power already account for a large share of the country’s energy supply today.”

Mercedes says the eActros delivered to CUU is the first fully electric long-haul truck deployed in Chile to date, and that six more eActros 600 units for customers in Chile will be delivered in the coming weeks.

The truck, itself

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 packs more than 600 kWh of total battery capacity (hence the name) from three 207 kWh LFP battery packs. That LFP chemistry was specifically chosen for its high usable energy content, durability in the face of constant high-speed charging, and its long projected service life, with Mercedes targeting durability of up to 1.2M kilometers (~750,000 miles) of driving.

Those batteries send power to an 800-volt electric drive axle developed in-house by Mercedes/Daimler Trucks that integrates two electric motors and a heavy-duty transmission specifically designed for efficient heavy long-haul work. The eAxles put out up to 600 kW (~805 hp) of power, good for hauling up to 40 tons of combined vehicle weight more than 300 miles on a charge.

Along with megawatt charging that can juice up the batteries and get loads back on the roads with minimal downtime, it’s no wonder CCU (and others) are singing the big Benz’ praises. And, with more than 40 different configurations available to make sure customers get exactly the truck they need to get their jobs done, we expect to see a lot more of these trucks on South American roads in the months and years to come.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Daimler Trucks.

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