Small series Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck with electric drive starts in 2017
Small series Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck with electric drive starts in 2017
Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck - Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “Following the world premiere in September 2016 of the at the International Commercial Vehicle Show the customer reaction was outstanding. We are currently talking to around 20 potential customers from the disposal, foodstuffs and logistics sectors. With the small series we are now rapidly taking the next step towards a series product.”
Stuttgart – This year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is bringing the world’s first all-electric heavy-duty truck to market in a small series. Following the presentation of the Urban eTruck with 25 tonnes gross vehicle weight and a range of up to 200 km at the International Commercial Vehicle Show in 2016, the first vehicles will be delivered to customers this year.
As Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks worldwide, explained: “Following the world premiere in September 2016 at the International Commercial Vehicle Show the customer reaction was outstanding. We are currently talking to around 20 potential customers from the disposal, foodstuffs and logistics sectors. With the small series we are now rapidly taking the next step towards a series product. By 2020 we want to be on the market with the series generation.”
Zero emissions, quiet as a whisper and with a payload of 12.8 tonnes, the Urban eTruck offers an impressive economical and environmentally friendly concept. Initially, a low two-figure number of units will go to customers in Germany, with more to follow elsewhere in Europe later. These vehicles will be deployed in real-life transport operations. The aim is to apply the learnings from genuine applications and requirements, coupled with customer feedback, to further optimise the electric truck’s concept and system configurations. The tests will include use in shift operation, charging times plus battery and range management.
Stefan Buchner continued: “When it comes to future technological issues we have set the standards in the sector, for instance with regard to electric and autonomous driving plus connectivity. 2017 will now be our year of implementation: step by step we are developing the vehicles and systems to achieve market maturity.”
In order to be able to depict the various application possibilities, 18- and 25-tonne models will be equipped with refrigerated, dry box and platform bodies. Together with a special charger which takes into account the increased demands on a truck, the vehicles will be handed over to the customers to use for a period of 12 months, during which they will be supported by Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ road testing department. The use profiles and areas of application will be recorded, and the knowledge gained compared with expectations.
The Urban eTruck is part of a comprehensive electric initiative from Daimler Trucks. The light-duty FUSO eCanter electric truck will be in use in a global small series in 2017. Around 150 vehicles will be handed over to selected customers in Europe, Japan and the USA. Daimler Trucks is thus covering a wide application portfolio of electric trucks all over the world.
Increasing urbanisation and better economy of battery technology pave the way for all-electric trucks
Better air quality, lower noise levels and entry restrictions are now important catchwords in the big towns and cities of the world. It will be necessary to transport goods in urban environments for increasing numbers of people – and with the lowest possible emissions and noise. Therefore, in the future all-electric trucks will supply people in many conurbations with the groceries and other goods they need on a daily basis.
Rapid technical development is supporting this trend: Daimler Trucks is expecting the costs for the batteries of an all-electric truck to have fallen by a factor of 2.5 between 1997 and 2025 – from 500 euros/kWh to 200 euros/kWh. At the same time the energy density of the available batteries in this period will rise by the same factor, from 80 Wh/kg to 200 Wh/kg.