As we mentioned in the previous article, with the soaring oil prices and unstable natural gas supply, the European electric truck industry has ushered in the fastest accelerated growth period in history. In the past three months, there has been a lot of big news in the electric truck industry. In today's article, Tiga Commercial Vehicle Network will take you to take stock.
The production version of the Mercedes-Benz eActros is delivered to users
Mercedes-Benz's eActros electric truck has been tested for more than a year since the mass production plan was announced. Just recently, the first mass-produced versions of eActros were finally delivered to customers. The first production versions of the eActros consisted of two units, one delivered to Dachser Logistics and the other to DB Schenker Logistics.
Both eActros are eActros 300 versions. They are all fitted with smaller 315 kWh batteries to avoid more battery packs from affecting the vehicle's loading weight. The 315 kWh battery can provide a range of 300 km, which is enough for urban trucks. The vehicle has a continuous power of 449 horsepower, a maximum power of 544 horsepower, and is equipped with a two-speed gearbox to adapt to high and low speed conditions.
Both eActros trucks are equipped with Mercedes-Benz's MirrorCam electronic rearview mirror system, which reduces wind resistance and provides better field performance. At the same time, the vehicle is also equipped with the required equipment such as tail plates and fire extinguishers. The production version of the eActros can be fully charged in two to three hours with a 160 kW fast charger.
Renault launches the E-Tech series of electric trucks
With the adjustment of resources within the Volvo Group and the sharing of technology, Renault also announced that it will launch its own electric heavy-duty truck. Two trucks were released in the first place, the T E-Tech truck and the C E-Tech truck. Among them, T E-Tech trucks are aimed at trunk logistics, and C E-Tech is aimed at special markets such as engineering transportation.
Both new electric trucks use the same power chain as Volvo electric trucks: a hybrid drive configuration of 666 hp three-motor + 12-speed transmission, with a maximum range of 300 km, which can be expanded to 500 km with the help of a fast charging system.
The T E-Tech tractor is available in 4x2 and 6x2 drive versions, while the C E-Tech offers a variety of drive configurations such as 4x2, 6x2 and 8x4.
The launch of the E-Tech series of electric trucks also means a return to the classic name E-Tech, which was once used on Renault's Euro 3 emission standard trucks. At the time, Renault's Euro 3 trucks were able to provide the cleanest emissions, hence the name "E-Tech". The name cleansing, in a different way, returned decades later.
Scania has successively launched electric truck products
The Archer Resource Recovery Centre in Copenhagen has ordered more than 100 all-electric Scania 25L series low-entry trucks. They all feature high-roof cabs and are equipped with co-pilot glass doors. The trucks will be mainly used for garbage removal work in the city, with a mileage of about 250 kilometers.
In mid-March, Scania announced a partnership with LCAB Iron Ore in northern Sweden: LKAB will conduct operational tests using the all-electric Scania 6x6 XT series electric dump trucks. The total weight of the vehicle is 49 tons and is used to transport sand and gravel. At the same time, an all-electric vehicle crane is being retrofitted. The two trucks will be used to test the reliability of Scania's electric drive systems in harsh environments, paving the way for future electric truck development.
At the same time, Scania also delivered a pure electric tractor to Renfors keri Transport, which will work for the BOLIDEN mine in Sweden, transporting the ore in the form of a double trailer with a maximum gross weight of up to 74 tons. The truck has a sustained power of 313 hp, a maximum of 405 hp and a battery capacity of 300 kWh. According to Scania's estimates, the vehicle's range is about 100 to 150 kilometers.
Amazon switched to electric trucks
Multinational e-commerce giant Amazon has recently invested in a number of alternative energy trucks in Europe. After ordering thousands of gas trucks, the giant turned to electric trucks. Recently, Amazon ordered five CF Electric electric tractors from Duff in the Netherlands, all of which use a 4x2 drive configuration and will be used in Amazon's UK branch for fixed line testing.
Amazon expects the vehicle to weigh around 37 tons and operate 160,000 kilometers per year. For electric trucks, this number is very large. Amazon plans to do 2 fast charges a day and have multiple drivers work shifts to achieve about 500 kilometers a day.
The Nikolai Tre truck was officially mass-produced
The first mass-produced version of the Nikolai Tre electric truck also rolled off the production line in Ulm, Germany, at the end of March, and will then be exported to the United States. The plant in Arizona, USA, is also operational, producing in two shifts. Nikolai expects annual production to be around 2,000 units, followed by a tenfold increase in 2023 to 20,000 units.
Currently, the cab of the Nikola Tre truck is produced and supplied by Iveco, which is the same as IVECO's own S-Way truck. Since Nikolai does not have the ability to produce its own cabs, all cabs will be produced in Europe and subsequently exported to factories around the world.
The cab body outside the Arizona plant
Nicola Tre in the factory assembly
In the U.S. market, nikolai Tre sells for around $300,000. In Europe, the price will be slightly lower, but it is much higher than that of diesel trucks. In contrast, the Nikola Tre is capable of delivering 645 horsepower, is powered by a 753 kWh battery and has a maximum range of 560 km/ h. However, the price of charging is lower than the price of oil, and the cost of long-term use can be close to the level of diesel trucks.
Nikolai Tre and BYD Q3 in front of budweiser factory
summary
On the whole, the development of electric trucks has undoubtedly come to the "blowout" period. Not only are there many brand new startups that are realizing their ambitions, but there are also many established players who are strongly entering the field. After a big wave of sand, what kind of choice will the market make? Which companies can have the last laugh? Let's leave the answer to time.
Text: Heseaotter
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