Mercedes-Benz is releasing operational data from 80 of its electric semi trucks, revealing efficiency figures that rival Tesla's Semi during 36-ton hauls through a German winter. The automaker aims to dispel lingering myths about range, charging infrastructure, and economic viability that still shadow the heavy-duty EV segment.
The fleet data shows that the eActros models maintain consistent energy consumption even under cold conditions and heavy loads, a benchmark previously associated primarily with Tesla's Class 8 offering. While Mercedes did not disclose exact kilowatt-hour per mile figures, the company described the performance as comparable to industry leading efficiency standards.
Charging infrastructure concerns are also addressed in the report. Mercedes noted that its trucks are successfully operating on existing public and depot-based charging networks, with average downtime for charging aligning with regulatory driver rest periods. The company is currently deploying additional megawatt charging stations across key German logistics corridors.
The data comes as Mercedes ramps production of its eActros 600, a long-haul variant set to enter serial production later this year. The company has confirmed over 2,000 pre-orders for the model, signaling strong fleet operator demand despite lingering skepticism about total cost of ownership for electric semis.
Counter_argument: Critics argue that the 80-truck sample size is too small to draw broad conclusions about heavy-duty EV reliability, especially under more extreme conditions like alpine grades or extended sub-zero temperatures. Range degradation in older battery packs also remains unaddressed in the initial dataset.