Automotive

Mercedes delivers Urban eTruck for heavy duty electric trucking

Mercedes delivers Urban eTruck for heavy duty electric trucking
The Mercedes Urban eTruck promises quieter, cleaner freight hauling
The Mercedes Urban eTruck promises quieter, cleaner freight hauling 
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The truck under camouflage earlier this year
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The truck under camouflage earlier this year 
The chassis has been modified for 212 kWh of batteries to be installed
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The chassis has been modified for 212 kWh of batteries to be installed
The truck's chassis holds 212 kWh of batteries and two electric motors
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The truck's chassis holds 212 kWh of batteries and two electric motors 
The Urban eTruck is a bit smarter than your average truck
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The Urban eTruck is a bit smarter than your average truck 
The eTruck will cover up to 200 km on a single charge
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The eTruck will cover up to 200 km on a single charge
The eTruck's battery capacity can be modified based on its intended role
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The eTruck's battery capacity can be modified based on its intended role 
The Mercedes Urban eTruck promises quieter, cleaner freight hauling
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The Mercedes Urban eTruck promises quieter, cleaner freight hauling 
The truck's cab is smoother and more aerodynamic than a regular cabin
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The truck's cab is smoother and more aerodynamic than a regular cabin 
Mirrors are out, cameras are in because of their aerodynamic benefits
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Mirrors are out, cameras are in because of their aerodynamic benefits 
The truck can be remotely managed
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The truck can be remotely managed 
The driver is faced with a totally new 12.3-inch central display
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The driver is faced with a totally new 12.3-inch central display
The Urban eTruck doesn't need a big front grille to cool an engine
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The Urban eTruck doesn't need a big front grille to cool an engine 
Tracking the battery and energy needs can be done remotely
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Tracking the battery and energy needs can be done remotely 
It takes around three hours to charge the truck
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It takes around three hours to charge the truck 
The truck's route can be remotely managed
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The truck's route can be remotely managed 
Mercedes gives the range from the eTruck's 212 kWh batteries as up to 200 km
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Mercedes gives the range from the eTruck's 212 kWh batteries as up to 200 km
View gallery - 16 images

The idea of running a fully-electric truck might have been a pipe dream just 10, or even five years ago, but the days where freight can be carted around urban routes by quiet, clean vehicles are creeping closer. Having teased a heavily camouflaged prototype earlier this year, Mercedes has unveiled its battery-powered Urban eTruck with up to 200 km (124 mi) range.

Built on a modified heavy-duty, short-radius distribution truck chassis, the eTruck swaps the diesel engine for a liquid-cooled 400 V, 212 kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motors. The two motors kick out a relatively modest 125 kW (168 hp) and 500 Nm of torque each, but Mercedes says clever gearing delivers 11,000 Nm to the wheels.

Although the standard battery setup holds 212 kWh, Mercedes has acknowledged the fact different companies have different needs from their trucks. An extra battery module can be added to extend the standard range, or smaller batteries can be used to save weight and space on shorter routes.

The truck's chassis holds 212 kWh of batteries and two electric motors
The truck's chassis holds 212 kWh of batteries and two electric motors 

Regardless of which battery is fitted, charging is handled by a 100 kW Combined Charging System Type 2 plug, and takes between two and three hours. The truck also uses a regenerative braking system to draw some energy back into the batteries while on the move, which has the added benefit of reducing strain on the brakes.

Although it's built on a modified diesel chassis, Mercedes has worked hard to make the eTruck look different to your average diesel rig. Gone is the grille, and in its place is a flat black panel, with cooling handled by an intake hidden on top of the cabin. The small aero skirts around the edges of the cab are almost imperceptible from a distance, and there are no wing mirrors, just compact cameras, cutting down on drag and noise.

This slick design focus has carried over inside, where the driver is faced with a totally new 12.3-inch central display. One section of the screen provides detailed information about the upcoming route, focusing on things that might make life tough for truckers (like bends and steep gradients), while the in-dash driver display can tell how far away the car in front is sitting and how fast it's going.

The driver is faced with a totally new 12.3-inch central display
The driver is faced with a totally new 12.3-inch central display

A traffic-sign aware cruise control system means the truck stays with the traffic flow in changing conditions, helping reduce driver fatigue and cutting down on any inefficient heavy acceleration and braking.

One of the major issues with battery-powered vehicles is range anxiety. On top of the screen in front of the driver is a horizontal charge indicator. When the batteries gets low the whole screen turns red, and if it looks like the truck won't make it to the nearest charge point another warning light pops up.

When things are looking seriously dire, drivers can switch to Eco Mode, which cuts performance for the sake of maximizing range. In regular driving, the default Auto Mode works to balance performance with efficiency, while Agile mode unleashes maximum power for steep terrain.

Fleet managers can also control drive modes remotely using the FleetBoard telematics and control system. This can shuffle tasks and routes around among a full fleet, making sure each truck in the company can be used to its full potential. As well as route distance data, it considers the weather in its calculations, because refrigerated trucks use more energy on hot days, and might not be able cover as much ground.

It takes around three hours to charge the truck
It takes around three hours to charge the truck 

Mercedes and Daimler suggest the trucks could be set up and charged using smart energy systems made up of recycled battery packs. The company also claims the cost of running electric trucks is falling, and smart energy management is making it more economical than ever before.

Source: Daimler

View gallery - 16 images
2 comments
2 comments
swaan
They look useful. I wonder why the didn't go straight to the max power of 150kW for those voltages. Due to modular and possible smaller battery configurations?
voluntaryist
Is light weighting practical? Trucks are the last platform I expected to see EVs.