Mercedes-Benz has had its eye on electric mobility for quite some time now. The German automotive giant reportedly plans to lead the trucking industry shift to electric models with its third electrified truck, the eEconic.
Daimler Trucks recently spun off from the Mercedes passenger car division into a full-fledged company. The eEconic, along with the eCascadia and eActros electric trucks, will reportedly retain the Mercedes name and branding going into the future.
The Mercedes-Benz eEConic is currently close to production, with the truck undergoing cold-weather testing in preparation for its launch later this year. According to reports, the eEconic shares its underpinnings with the eActros, as both feature three 105 kWh battery packs totaling a 315 kWh capacity. Both also pack dual motors with peak power ratings of 400 kW. Range figures are not yet available, as these could depend largely on several factors, including various configurations and body applications.
Before the impending start of series production in the second half of the year, the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eEconic proved itself in the Arctic Circle winter test. At icy temperatures down to -25°C, development engineers from Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks tested the e-truck intended for municipal use in Rovaniemi, Finland. Engineers tested the behavior of the batteries and the electric powertrain and associated systems at very low temperatures, among other things. The vehicle’s batteries were charged at various charging stations in order to check compatibility between the vehicle and charging stations.
Daimler Trucks plans to launch the eEconic all-electric truck during the second half of 2022. It looks as if Mercedes-Benz could be emerging as a global leader in electric trucking, especially as its rivals, including Tesla and Nikola Motors, seem caught up in production slowdowns in recent months. Meanwhile, competitors like Volvo and Scania continue to enact their visions of electric mobility.
