Simon Loos takes delivery of the first eActros 600

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has handed over the first two eActros 600s to Dutch logistics service provider Simon Loos. Last year, Simon Loos ordered a total of 75 eActros 600s for long-haul use and more than double its existing fleet of electric trucks.

Both parties announced the major order last autumn at the IAA Transportation in Hanover. Two of the battery-electric tractor units produced by Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Wörth have now arrived at Simon Loos and are now in use in retail sales for Lidl. “After months of intensive testing under various conditions, the two eActros 600 trucks have impressively proven their reliability,” commented Wim Roks, Fleet Manager at Simon Loos. “We are optimistic about their daily operations. While we previously planned trips of up to 300 kilometers with confidence, the eActros 600 now enables us to cover up to 500 kilometers per trip.”

Before placing the order with Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Simon Loos was already operating 60 electric trucks. When all 75 newly ordered units are delivered soon, Simon Loos will have more than doubled its electric fleet to 135 vehicles.

Incidentally, most of the 60 electric trucks that have already been put into service also come from Daimler Truck. This is because the food logistics company was already a partner in Daimler Truck’s ‘innovation fleet’ for the eActros 300 and had already received one of the electric 25-tonne trucks for testing purposes before its premiere. Simon Loos was also one of the first customers for the eActros 300 tractor unit. And with the eActros 600, Simon Loos was the first company outside Germany to receive one for testing.

Daimler Truck presented the long-awaited series version of the long-distance e-truck at the IAA Transportation. Series production started at the Wörth am Rhein plant in November. The eActros 600 has a 621 kWh battery with LFP cells, which should enable a range of around 500 kilometres. With the CCS connection installed at the start, the battery can be charged with up to 400 kW, but the eActros 600 is also prepared for MCS charging (Megawatt Charging System). This means that charging capacities of over 1,000 kW will be possible in the future.

When placing the order, Simon Loos stated that most of the 75 eActros 600s would be used in branch operations, where the vehicles can be charged at the customer’s premises. Also important for the company: the model has an e-PTO (Power Take Off) to cool the refrigeration unit on the trailer electrically. Simon Loss writes of a fully-fledged alternative to diesel trucks.

daimlertruck.com