Mercedes-Benz showed off last year a heavily camouflaged model copy of its electric Urban eTruck. Now, Mercedes-Benz is said to be starting a "small series production" of all-electric Urban eTruck and trials with selected customers. The firm believes that it's time for a new eTruck to hit the road.
Mercedes Started Production Of The Urban eTruck
Mercedes-Benz, a well-known German automaker, announced that the company started a small series of production for its first all-electric heavy truck, which is called as the Urban eTruck. The launched trials of the model truck with selected customers are due in order to test the capacity of the vehicle on urban routes. Mercedes has been moving very fast on this project. In fact, just after unveiling the prototype in September last year, it’s already in the hands of the customers and hitting the road.
According to Eectrek, Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks worldwide, said that Mercedes is currently talking to an approximate 20 potential customers from the disposal, foodstuffs as well as logistics sector. And with this small series, "we are now rapidly taking the next step towards a series product. By 2020 we want to be on the market with the series generation.”
The Urban eTruck is equipped with a massive of 212 kWh battery pack and can allow a drive up to 125 miles or 200 km of range. Together with a special charger for the eTruck, the car will be handed over to the buyers to use for a period of 12 months that will be supported by the road testing department of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. The vehicles are being delivered with “a special charger which takes into account the increased demands on a truck," though without disclosing the power capacity.
Mercedes Urban eTruck Will Hit The Road This Year
As Buchner announced, the Mercedes is proceeding with the small series production for the Urban eTruck and its final version is projected for 2020. By that year, the battery prices should fall and the capacity should continue to rise. According to CNET, there will be two sizes of the vehicle, 18 tonnes and 25 tonnes, which is based on gross vehicle weight. Mercedes Urban eTruck will be offered in three configurations, which are the refrigerated body, dry box body and platform.
