Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues to test the operational readiness of its eActros LongHaul and eActros 300 as a tractor unit, this time heading to the official hometown of Santa Claus in the Arctic Circle to put the trucks through their paces in extreme cold conditions.
Mercedes-Benz Truck winter tests in Rovaniemi – the “Official Hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle” in Lapland, Finland – are designed to test the endurance of the company’s trucks and determine their series readiness.
Testing provides Mercedes-Benz Truck with invaluable data, with conditions plummeting to -25°C, harsh winds, and snowy and icey roadways.
Prototypes of both the battery-electric eActros LongHaul – which is planned for series readiness planned in 2024 – and the battery-electric eActros 300 as a tractor were put through the wringer to determine the effects of extreme cold on handling, ergonomics, and comfort.
Testing of the electric trucks also focused on the starting properties and drive components protection from low temperatures, thermal management, charging properties, and the robustness of the sensors.
“Testing our product range under extreme winter conditions is also an essential part of our vehicle development in terms of alternative drives,” said Dr. Christof Weber, head of global testing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
“Haulage companies must be able to rely on our electric trucks in a highly competitive environment at any time of year, just as they are used to from conventionally powered vehicles.
Even the journey to the winter testing tracks provided valuable feedback for the engineers, who were able to test changing lanes as part of the Active Sideguard Assist or active lane guidance with Active Drive Assist in the Actros L.
Given that the journey also crossed several national borders, Mercedes-Benz Truck engineers were also able to measure the impact on assistance systems of country-specific lane markings, traffic signs, or digital map data.
The engineers paid particular attention during testing to the impact of the cold weather conditions on the battery and electric drivetrain.
Some of the results may also surprise, with the eActros LongHaul generally able to heat the cab faster than a diesel truck thanks to its smaller heating circuit with high output.
“The tests of the batteries and electric drivetrain properties at extreme temperatures or of the vehicle’s driving properties on slick, icy roads show: Even in very wintry conditions, our battery-powered trucks are fully operational,” said Weber.
Series production of the eActros 300 as a tractor unit is expected to get underway in the second half of 2023, following its debut at the 2022 IAA Transportation conference in Hanover.
Based on the same technology as the eActros 300/400, the eActros 300 as a tractor unit will come with three 112kWh battery packs delivering a range of up to 220 kilometres.
Meanwhile, due for series production in 2024, the eActros LongHaul will offer a range of around 500 kilometres.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
