The competition in the automotive industry is getting hotter by each passing day, and this can be nothing but music to the ears of customers. Mercedes-Benz has now brought to light its plans to launch a Mercedes electric truck named Mercedes Urban eTruck in the next five years. The announcement has followed the Tesla Motors Inc.’s disclosure of the future roadmap of electric commercial vehicles.
There is a growing trend among the truck manufacturers to go for electric vehicles in order to meet stringent emission requirements imposed by the regulators. However, the durability of batteries remains a road block, as they will be powering fully loaded vehicles over considerably longer distances.
The Mercedes electric truck model will be developed by Daimler AG – the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. The 26 metric ton vehicle will have 120 miles per battery recharge and will be used for intra urban transportation. Two electric motors, each mounted near the rear wheel will drive the truck through spinning rear axle and churning out 335 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. The motors will be powered by three lithium ion batteries having a combined power of 212 kilowatt hours. Commercial sales are likely to commence from 2021.
According to the company, the electric vehicles segment has not been profitable for any manufacturer, but industry trends have dictated the technological development so far.
How the commercial fleet operators react to an unproven technology will remain our million dollar question.