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The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 successfully completed a demanding five-day, 1,400-mile journey across the UK, demonstrating its capabilities and readiness for work in the country. Participating in the EV Rally 2024, the fully-loaded eActros 600 impressed with its performance and range.
Key Highlights:
- Event: EV Rally 2024, held from July 1-5
- Journey: 1,400 miles across the UK
- Participants: 50 electric vehicles, including only two trucks
- eActros Route: Covered 26 locations from A to Z
- Performance: Maintained full freight at 40 tonnes GVW
- Charging: Utilized 350 kW chargers, achieving 60% charge in about an hour
- Outcome: Demonstrated capability for most UK road transport applications
During the rally, the eActros 600 embarked on a route that began in Oldbury in the West Midlands and concluded in Chester. The journey covered:
- Day One: 258 miles, ending in Carlisle
- Day Two: 285 miles, ending at Daimler Truck UK complex in Wentworth Park
- Day Three: 366 miles, the longest single day’s drive, ending in Cambridge
- Day Four: 315 miles, ending in Exeter
- Day Five: 265 miles through Wales, finishing in Chester
James Venables, Daimler Truck UK’s Head of Future Sustainability, was part of the eActros driving team. During an interview on the second day, Sara Sloman of the EV Rally Media Crew noted, “You’ve definitely stolen the show this year – whenever the eActros turns up, heads turn.” Venables agreed, highlighting the truck’s appeal and capabilities.
“The truck is big, bold, and exciting, and taking part in this event has been great fun. More importantly, we’ve proved that our engineers are right when they say the truck can cover 500 km on a single charge,” said Venables. “The EV Rally is all about showcasing today’s electric vehicles and demonstrating that a multi-day marathon journey is very much achievable using the current network of charging points. As the national infrastructure develops, that will only get easier.”
Venables emphasized the eActros 600’s ability to recover energy through recuperation, potentially enhancing its range. He noted that the truck could have completed each day’s course without additional recharging, but in the spirit of the event, they utilized designated charge points to showcase ease of use. “Using a 350 kW charger, we were able to top up to 60% in about an hour, which was very impressive,” he added.
“What we demonstrated, without doubt, is that the eActros 600 is perfectly capable of slotting into most UK road transport applications seamlessly, offering an option that’s entirely free of exhaust emissions while also being exceptionally smooth, quiet, and comfortable to drive,” Venables concluded.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is now available for order through the manufacturer’s national Dealer Network, with production set to begin in December.
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