Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 completes gruelling 1,400-mile EV rally around the UK
The battery-powered Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 has proven its mettle in the UK by completing a demanding five-day, 1,400-mile journey across the country.
This accomplishment was part of the 2024 EV Rally, held from July 1-5, showcasing the capabilities of electric vehicles.
Hauling a standard road trailer at a fully loaded 40 tonnes GVW, the eActros 600 tackled the rally with ease. The event saw 50 electric vehicles of various types start from Oldbury in the West Midlands, visiting 26 locations from A to Z across the UK, albeit with some creative naming for the letters X and Z.
The eActros 600, one of only two trucks and the sole tractor unit in the rally, embarked on its first leg covering 258 miles from Oldbury to Carlisle via five checkpoints. Day two included a 285-mile journey ending at the Daimler Truck UK complex in Wentworth Park, near Sheffield. The third day featured the longest single drive of 366 miles to Cambridge, followed by a 315-mile trip to Exeter on day four. The final leg spanned 265 miles, concluding in Chester via Wales.
James Venables, Daimler Truck UK’s Head of Future Sustainability, was part of the eActros driving team. He remarked on the truck’s impressive performance and range capability, noting that it could potentially cover 500 km on a single charge. Venables highlighted the importance of the EV Rally in demonstrating the viability of electric vehicles for long-distance transport, especially as the national charging infrastructure continues to develop.
“The truck is big, bold, and exciting,” Venables said. “We’ve proved that our engineers are right when they say the truck can cover 500 km on a single charge. The EV Rally is all about showcasing today’s electric vehicles, and the fact that a multi-day marathon journey is very much achievable using the current network of charging points. As the national infrastructure develops, that will only get easier.”
Venables added that the eActros 600’s range was complemented by energy recovery through recuperation, and the team showed how easy it is to top up during the day, using a 350 kW charger to reach 60% capacity in about an hour.
The eActros 600’s successful completion of the rally underscores its readiness for UK road transport applications, offering a seamless, zero-emission alternative that is smooth, quiet, and comfortable to drive.
