All-Electric eEconic Leads The Mercedes-Benz Charge At Road Transport Expo

This post is courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

One of the most significant additions to Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ electric vehicle lineup, the eEconic, made its first appearance in the UK at this week’s Road Transport Expo event.

Diesel-powered Econic models have become the vehicle of choice for many municipal operators, and increasingly for other urban applications. The arrival of the first battery-powered eEconic was sure to create a buzz—and so it proved, as visitors to the event at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, flocked to the Mercedes-Benz Trucks stand to take a look.

The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Its twin motors are located within the rear eAxle. With no need for a prop shaft energy efficiency is maximised, while chassis space can be freed up for the batteries to be set across the full width of the vehicle. This helps to create a low centre of gravity which, in turn, translates into improved driving dynamics. The motors drive through a special transmission with two forward and two reverse gears, allowing the truck to cruise at up to 89 km/h (55 mph).

Currently available as a single model, the 27-tonne GVW eEconic 300 has a 6x2 configuration with rear-steer axle, and is fitted with three battery packs, for a total installed capacity of 336kWh. The batteries can be recharged from 20 to 80% in 75 minutes, using a 400A 160kW charger.

Equipped with an electrically powered Dennis Eagle body and Terberg OmniDEL binlift system, the truck will enter trials with a leading UK customer following its appearance at the Road Transport Expo.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Head of Special Trucks, Ross Paterson, said: “We’re very excited about the arrival of the eEconic—and, judging by the reactions of visitors to our display vehicles, so are our customers.

“This important model shares all the key features that have made the diesel-powered Econic so popular with urban operators—including the flat floor, low driving position, ease of access, and excellent visibility, which helps it qualify for a Direct Vision Standard rating of up to five stars, depending on specification.

“To that mix, though, it adds the advantages of a super-efficient electric driveline—with smooth, near-silent performance, ease of use, and zero tailpipe emissions. The large battery pack allows it the flexibility to tackle rural work, with long distances and fewer stops, or intense city-centre operation where more of the battery’s reserve is used to power the compactor. We believe it’s already capable of covering 90% of refuse collection rounds across the UK.”

The Mercedes-Benz eEconic, with a six-year battery warranty, is available to order now. Standard features include the innovative Multimedia Cockpit with twin display screens, electronic parking brake, Keyless Go and LED headlights.

A second eEconic was displayed on the Mercedes-Benz Trucks stand inside the Expo building—this was unbodied, allowing visitors to see the chassis and battery layout. Other Mercedes-Benz trucks exhibited included a pair of electric eActros rigid chassis, while the manufacturer’s eActros demonstrator with refrigerated body by Solomon Commercials was a popular draw at the show’s Ride & Drive area. Combustion-engined Actros, Arocs, and Unimog models were also on display.

You’ll find thousands of new and used Mercedes-Benz trucks for sale on Truck Locator, including scores of Econics configured for a variety of jobs.