Category Archives: EV

EV, News

2024 Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul

It took two years for the first eActros LongHaul prototypes to appear on the streets. Although it was unveiled three months ago, the truck was not finished, now Mercedes-Benz Trucks has finally shown the final design of the electric truck that will have a range of 500 km (311 miles).

In 2021, Mercedes unveiled its electric truck, eActros, and on that occasion, Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “We have to acknowledge that transport is part of the problem when it comes to climate change. At the same time, we can and we will be part of the solution. We start with our eActros that has covered more than half a million kilometers on public roads. The eActros and its dedicated services are a big step for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and for our customers towards CO₂-neutral transport.” Customers are thus sending a strong signal to all stakeholders to combine efforts and quickly put more and more electric trucks on the road, expand the charging infrastructure and create cost parity.

“We are continuously expanding our portfolio of battery-electric trucks. Our focus is on offering clear advantages to our customers. Therefore, our electric trucks are specifically designed for e-mobility, giving them better drivability, energy efficiency and durability.” said Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks engineers designed the eActros LongHaul so that the vehicle and its components meet the same durability requirements as the conventional Actros. That means 1.2 million kilometers over a period of ten years. The Mercedes eActros LongHaul will be powered by two electric motors with a total power of 816 hp (600 kW). It will have three batteries with a total capacity of over 600 kWh, which is enough to give the truck a range of 311 miles (500 km).

Source: Mercedes-Benz Trucks

EV, News

Zero Emissions Vehicle can suck up CO2

Although strict CO2 regulations force car manufacturers to fully or partially electrify their vehicles, no car is completely emission-free. However, there is a car that practically sucks up CO2, the Zero Emissions Vehicle.

A group of Dutch students from the Eindhoven University of Technology has produced a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) that, thanks to a special filter, produces almost zero emissions. They claim that a car can collect up to 2 kg of CO2 every 20,000 kilometers, which is not a huge amount considering that a single tree collects ten times more. However, if more cars used this filter, the result would be far better.

“This car has been developed to minimize CO2 emissions during the production phase, the use phase and the end-of-life phase,” said team member Jens Lahaije.

In the future, filters could be easily cleaned at charging stations for electric car batteries. So far, the filter fills up very quickly and has to be cleaned every 200 miles, but the team is looking for help from the automotive industry to help achieve the goal.

“We are calling on the industry to pick up the gauntlet, and we are naturally happy to think along with them. We have not yet finished developing ourselves and want to take significant steps in the coming years. We cordially invite car manufacturers to come and take a look,” said Nikki Okkels, the external relations manager at the university.

Parts of the car are made of recycled plastic using a 3D printer, such as the chassis and body panels, so it can be said that there is practically no waste.

Source: TU Eindhoven via Facebook

EV, News

Volvo starts mass production of electric heavy trucks

Finally, we have entered the era of electric cargo trucks. The pioneer in this endeavor is the Swedish company Volvo Trucks, which announced that it is starting series production of heavy electric trucks.

“This is a milestone and proves that we are leading the transformation of the industry. It’s less than two years ago since we showcased our heavy electric trucks for the very first time. Now we are ramping up volumes and will deliver these great trucks to customers all over Europe, and later on also to customers in Asia, Australia and Latin America,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.

The increased need of users of transport services to switch to fossil fuel-free transport was a good sign for the company Volvo Trucks to increase the offer of electric trucks for three new models, to a total of six. With this, the Swedish company could meet almost half of the transport needs in Europe, from urban distribution, waste disposal, regional transport to construction. According to Eurostat, almost 50% of all goods transported by road in Europe cover distances shorter than 300 km.

Volvo Trucks has sold more than 2,500 electric trucks so far, of which more than 1,000 are heavy trucks. These are still small numbers, and the company expects that by 2030, at least 50 percent of the trucks sold will be electric.

Source: Volvo Trucks