With its battery-electric eActros 600 long-haul truck, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has been producing a strong alternative to diesel trucks in series production since the end of 2024. The manufacturer has now presented the eActros 400 as a new variant based on the technology of the eActros 600 for the first time as part of a driving event for journalists around its location in Molsheim, France.
With numerous new combination options based on both models, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is specifically expanding its range of battery-electric trucks to be able to meet even more logistics requirements in heavy-duty long-distance and distribution haulage electrically. For example, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will be offering the eActros in the future as an eActros 400 with two and an eActros 600 with three battery packs – each available as a semitrailer tractor or platform chassis, to suit the individual requirements for purpose, range and payload.
In addition, customers will be able to choose between two cabs in the future: the proven L-cab with lower entry or the aerodynamically improved, larger ProCabin for maximum cab comfort. In addition, there will be a large number of new wheelbase variants as well as further axle configurations for the platform chassis to cover even more areas of application.
The first new models will be available to order from October in the EU30 markets and in selected non-EU markets and will partly roll off the production line at the Wörth am Rhein plant in 2025. The new vehicle variants of the second-generation eActros model continue to carry the essential technological features of the eActros 600, which is characterized by its innovative overall technological concept consisting of modern drive technology and high energy efficiency.
This includes the in-house developed electric drive axle, the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology known for its long service life and usable battery capacity of over 95 percent, the 800-volt onboard power system, as well as the new Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 and comprehensive assistance systems designed to enhance safety. With the expansion of the second generation of the eActros model, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will no longer produce the eActros 300/400 models from the first generation by the end of the year.
Battery packs determine range, payload and purchase price
The new eActros 400 variants enable a more attractively priced entry into electromobility. These are equipped with two 207 kWh LFP battery packs which together deliver 414 kWh installed battery capacity – hence the designation 400. The different configurations of the eActros lead to equally different ranges and vary depending on the vehicle class and deployment profile. With a constant driving style in long-distance haulage, the ranges are generally higher than when driving in regional heavy-duty distribution haulage. An eActros 400 6×2 with dry box body, as it is predestined for classic use in heavy-duty distribution haulage, achieves a range of up to 480 kilometers when partially loaded at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, for example.
As before, the eActros 600 has three battery packs with a total installed battery capacity of 621 kWh – hence the designation 600. This enables a range of 500 kilometers without intermediate charging – significantly more depending on the vehicle configuration, driving style, route and other influencing factors. In the most economical combination, the eActros 600 can achieve a range of up to 560 kilometers with three battery packs in classic long-haul transport and a gross train weight of 40 tons. If the eActros semitrailer tractor is equipped with the proven L-cab and only two battery packs, it achieves a range of up to 330 kilometers in the same deployment and under nearly comparable general conditions.
The eActros 400 with two battery packs has a lower vehicle weight and therefore offers more payload than the eActros 600 with three battery packs. The weight reduction increases the maximum fifth-wheel load of the eActros 400 to 9.5 tons. In combination with a standard semitrailer, the eActros 400 achieves a payload of over 25 tons. This means that the eActros 400 has an additional payload of more than 3 tons compared to the eActros 600, bringing it to the payload level of diesel trucks. Both the eActros 400 and the eActros 600 can be charged with up to 400 kW via the standard CCS2 charging socket on the left side of the vehicle behind the cab. A second CCS2 charging socket on the right-hand side of the vehicle can be ordered as an option. Two battery packs take around 46 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent, with three battery packs the charging time is around 70 minutes.
In addition to CCS charging, the eActros 600 with ProCabin, which is predestined for long-distance haulage, will later also enable megawatt charging.
Individual cab variants for various applications
Depending on the main area of application – whether in heavy-duty distribution haulage or long-distance haulage – the requirements for the cab also vary. The flexible selection of different cab variants enables customers to tailor comfort, ergonomics and economy to the specific requirements of their operation. In future, customers will be able to choose between two cabs: the L-cab in proven Actros design and the futuristic ProCabin. Both variants are available for both the eActros 400 with two and the eActros 600 as a platform vehicle with three battery packs.
Thanks to its 170 millimeters lower entry and compact dimensions, the already proven L-cab with a width of 2.30 meters offers good conditions for operations with frequent entry and exit as well as for shorter distances. Available as a Classic or StreamSpace variant, it impresses with an ergonomically designed cockpit, plenty of stowage space and numerous practical comfort features, such as the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 or LED headlamps installed as standard. The proven L-cab can be an economically interesting solution for price-sensitive customers and enables a slight payload advantage due to the lower weight.
The futuristically designed ProCabin stands for maximum comfort and is particularly suitable for long journeys with regular overnight stays thanks to its flat floor and generous sense of space. The cab has also been designed for particularly efficient aerodynamics to reduce energy consumption. In the interior, the 2.50-metre-wide cab, available in three variants as Stream, Big or Giga, boasts numerous comfort features such as improved seat heating, premium flat-weave seat covers or beds with full slatted support and thick premium mattress. Other features of the ProCabin include the extended functional scope of the control panels on the beds as well as the ambient lighting and the additional gooseneck LED reading lamps. There are also other equipment features such as additional USB-C sockets on the side walls, a high-quality curtain in a two-tone design, a second refrigerator, a 230-volt socket or the SoloStar Concept in two additional seat cover variants.
The MirrorCam is part of the other equipment of both cabs. The mirror camera system developed by Mercedes-Benz Trucks can help to cope with situations such as overtaking, manoeuvring, driving in poor visibility and darkness, cornering and passing through narrow spaces even more safely and stress-free. Wide-angle mode when manoeuvring in reverse, distance lines in the displays for better estimation of the distance to objects behind the vehicle, swiveling of the camera image when cornering or monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings during breaks are further helpful functions. The interaction between the MirrorCam and Active Sideguard Assist 2, particularly in complex traffic situations and unclear intersections, can also help to reduce the severity of dangerous situations. Sideguard Assist uses the displays of the MirrorCam for the visual warnings.
Additional wheelbases and axle variants for a wider range of applications
Mercedes-Benz Trucks now offers its customers even more options to adapt the e-vehicles even better to individual customer requirements. In the future, the range of wheelbases and axle variants for the battery-electric variants will be significantly expanded.
New is, for example, the eActros 400 as a 4×2 semitrailer tractor with a wheelbase of 3,700 mm. Thanks to the shorter wheelbase, it has a smaller turning circle and is easier to manoeuvre even in tight spaces – such as narrow streets or narrow depots. Also new for the eActros 400 are 4×2 platform chassis with wheelbases of 4,000, 5,500, 5,800 and 6,100 mm as well as 6×2 platform chassis with six different wheelbases between 4,000 and 5,800 mm. These variants are available with ProCabin or with the proven L-cab.
There is also more choice for the eActros 600: In future, it will also be available as a 4×2 platform chassis with the wheelbases 4,000, 5,500 and 5,800 mm. In addition to the already available wheelbases of 4,600 and 4,900 mm, there are four further wheelbases for the 6×2 platform truck, analogous to the eActros 400. These are: 4000, 4500, 5200 and 5800 mm.
These variants will be available for the ProCabin as well as for the proven L-cab.
Integrated e-axis for greater efficiency
Both the eActros 600 and the new eActros 400 have an electric axle with two electric motors and a four-speed transmission. The electric motors generate a continuous output of 400 kW and a peak output of 600 kW and ensure powerful acceleration, high driving comfort and high driving dynamics. The full engine power is usually available without any interruption in torque. In addition, with an anticipatory driving style, electrical energy can be recovered through recuperation, which is returned to the batteries and is then available again for the drive.
Recuperation puts less strain on the brakes, which is a positive side effect. Depending on the situation, the driver can choose between five different recuperation levels. One-pedal driving, this means deceleration via recuperation with reduced actuation of the mechanical brake, can also be activated on the touchscreen in the digital cockpit. The eActros is equipped with the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) cruise control and transmission control system, which is explicitly tuned to the electric drive. The anticipatory powertrain control system automatically considers the topography, course of the road and traffic signs for the most efficient driving style possible. The route information from the navigation system is now also included to enable better detection of upcoming route events. This allows the driver to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration and using the battery energy more efficiently.
Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 with voice control and better connectivity
The Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 installed as standard in the ProCabin and the proven L- cab proves to be very helpful in everyday work, making the vehicles even more networked. The 12-inch instrument display and the improved touchscreen are intuitive to operate and individually configurable, and many functions can now be activated more safely and quickly via voice control. This allows the drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. The Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 also informs the driver continuously about the charge level of the batteries, the predicted remaining range and the current and average energy consumption. The navigation integrated in the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2 is specially designed for electric vehicles and considers the current charging infrastructure. In addition, all variants benefit from the PPC specially adapted to the electric drive, which incorporates route information from the navigation system to enable better detection of upcoming route events and thus further increase efficiency. Functions such as heating, air conditioning, navigation, telephony, lighting and the integrated radio infotainment system can also be controlled via the touchscreen or the multifunction steering wheel.
TruckCharge from Daimler Truck: Establishment of a Europe-wide charging network for electric trucks
Under the brand name TruckCharge, Daimler Truck bundles its offers around the e-infrastructure and charging of electric trucks. This includes consulting, setting up the charging infrastructure and its operation.
Under the TruckCharge brand, the aim is also to set up a Europe-wide charging network for electric trucks that involves both the more than 1,000 dealers and interested customers of Mercedes-Benz Trucks to also open their charging infrastructure to third parties and thus achieve better utilization. By 2030, the network will include over 3,000 fast charging points in Europe, making it the largest in Europe.
Evolution of the e-truck portfolio at Mercedes-Benz Trucks
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has had electric trucks in its portfolio since 2021. Initially, the eActros 300/400 was introduced as the first battery-electric vehicle for heavy-duty distribution haulage, followed just a year later by the eEconic, which was predestined for use in municipal waste disposal transport and continues to be produced in this form.
Series production of the second model generation of electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz Trucks with the eActros 600 started at the end of 2024. The new eArocs 400 for urban construction haulage, which was presented at Bauma 2025, will be launched next year and will also take over essential components from the eActros 600.
Flexible production of battery-electric models in Wörth
Just like the eActros 600, the second-generation eActros 400 will be manufactured on the existing assembly line of the Wörth A-series production, in parallel with and flexibly alongside the trucks that will receive a diesel drive. It also receives all electrical components in this production hall. The entire system is commissioned at the end of the assembly line: From then on, the truck is ready to drive and lastly undergoes the finishing process and final inspection like all other trucks. The assembly of the new model generation thus takes place in one production hall. The previous eActros 300/400 and eEconic electric truck models leave the production hall for the assembly of the electric drive components to be electrified at the Future Truck Center in Wörth.
