Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is advancing the implementation of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard for its battery‑electric long‑haul truck, the eActros 600.
As part of a demanding long‑distance test drive with two MCS‑compatible eActros 600 test trucks, development engineers from Mercedes‑Benz Trucks are testing MCS charging. The aim is to ensure optimal compatibility between the vehicle and megawatt charging stations from various manufacturers, as well as to gain valuable insights into real‑world usability — including under winter conditions — ranging from the charging curve and average charging power to the overall performance of the MCS infrastructure.
The test run covers a route of approximately 2,400 kilometers from Germany, through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, to Sweden. Starting point is the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein, with the destination being Linköping in southern Sweden. The vehicles are scheduled to be recharged at both public and private MCS locations specifically designed for trucks.
Peter Ziegler, Head of E Charging Components, Mercedes Benz Trucks: “The key challenges in megawatt charging lie in harmonizing the vehicle with various charging systems. At the same time, the extreme charging currents in MCS charging place high demands on thermal management. The current test run provides an important opportunity to evaluate these aspects under real-world operating conditions.”
With charging capacities of up to 1,000 kW, the batteries of electric trucks can be charged more quickly than with the currently common CCS technology — for example, with MCS, it takes the eActros 600 only about 30 minutes, to charge the batteries from 20% to 80%.
Faster recharging with MCS enables our customers to achieve more efficient and flexible logistics processes in long-haul operations, provided the appropriate charging infrastructure is available. Currently, only a few public MCS locations are available in Europe. For freight forwarders and fleet operators, MCS charging can offer an economic advantage, as it increases potential vehicle utilization. This, in turn, can facilitate the transition to battery-electric trucks in long-haul transport.
The MCS standard is being spearheaded by the CharIN organization and internationally standardized in collaboration with truck manufacturers. Uniform interfaces between charging stations and electric trucks facilitate the development of a pan‑European fast‑charging network for heavy‑duty commercial vehicles.
The eActros 600 is equipped with three battery packs, each with 207 kWh. These provide an installed total capacity of 621 kWh. Batteries are based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology, which is characterized by a long service life. Unlike other battery cell technologies, LFP allows the use of more than 95 percent of the installed capacity.
This enables greater range with the same installed battery capacity. The vehicle is technically designed for a combined gross train weight of up to 44 tons. With a standard semi‑trailer, the eActros 600 has a payload of about 22 tons in the EU. In some cases, national regulations may allow for a higher payload.
The high battery capacity of over 600 kilowatt hours — hence the model designation “600” — together with a newly developed, highly efficient electric drive axle, enables the eActros 600 to achieve a range of 500 kilometers, without intermediate charging. This range is achieved under highly realistic, practical conditions with a gross train weight of 40 tons and can be significantly exceeded depending on driving style and route.
The eActros 600 will even be able to cover well over 1,000 kilometers per day. Intermediate charging during legally mandated driver breaks makes this possible, provided charging facilities are available.
