Logistics company: "So far, the eActros has never broken down"

Logistics Schmitt uses an electric truck from the Swabian vehicle manufacturer for journeys between a warehouse in Ötigheim, Baden, and the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt as part of a test program before the market launch. In an interview with Welt.de, Managing Director Rainer Schmitt drew a first interim conclusion.

The purely battery-powered Mercedes eActros coming in 2021 are constantly driving back and forth on the test track in three-shift operation to deliver the parts that are currently needed. In total, almost 170 kilometers come together per day despite only around seven kilometers of easy distance. "So far, the eActros has never broken down, there is an emergency number that we could call, but that has never been necessary," reports Schmitt.

According to Schmitt, the drivers use every opportunity to recharge their batteries. The 30 to 40 minutes for charging and discharging were "completely enough" to refresh the battery. It is currently being tested whether electricity can only be tapped at every second stop. The usual trip to the gas station is definitely not necessary, since the charging stations are installed directly on the ramps for loading and unloading.

The pilots of the eActros are enthusiastic about the electric truck: "There is no need to change gears and they are always the fastest at the traffic light," said Schmitt. In addition, the quietness of the electric drive is "perceived extremely positively". The freight forwarder cannot draw any real conclusions after the first few weeks of testing. The exact costs have not yet been calculated either, as the price for Daimler's battery trucks has not yet been determined. "I can't calculate at the moment whether the electric truck is actually cheaper than a diesel truck," said Schmitt.

The bottom line for the company in real operation is only how many cents the driven kilometer costs, Schmitt continues. At the moment, however, it is important to be at the forefront of development.

Battery versus overhead line truck

Regarding trials of electrified trucks that draw electricity from overhead lines over the roads on some stretches, Schmitt said: "We hauliers have to deal with the insufficient existing infrastructure every day to fight.” He could not imagine that a comprehensive infrastructure with overhead lines would be built.

E-mobility pioneer Tesla surprisingly announced in 2017 that it would also build electric commercial vehicles. The industry is skeptical about the technical data of the semi-trailer presented, but the established manufacturers are now also increasingly working on e-trucks. Despite criticism of Tesla's electric truck, the Daimler Group is convinced that battery technology will prevail in trucks. On the other hand, the Swabians have rejected overhead line systems this year.

Electric trucks will initially be more expensive to buy than diesel trucks. "The eActros will pay off for freight forwarders in the medium and long term," said Manfred Schuckert, responsible for emissions and safety at Daimler Commercial Vehicles, Welt.de. “Electric trucks will become even cheaper, while diesel will tend to be more expensive. In addition, e-trucks should be given advantages when it comes to tolls.”