Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 Puts Megawatt Charging to the Test on 2,400km Real-World Run

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is pushing battery-electric long-haul trucking another step forward after sending two eActros 600 trucks on a demanding 2,400-kilometre real-world endurance trip to test megawatt charging (MCS) under everyday operating conditions.

The long-distance test run stretches from Germany through the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and into Sweden, starting at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein and ending in Linköping. Along the way, the trucks are charging at a mix of public and private megawatt charging stations specifically designed for heavy commercial vehicles.

The focus of the test is not just speed, but compatibility and reliability. Development engineers are evaluating how well the eActros 600 integrates with different megawatt charging systems from various manufacturers, while also monitoring charging curves, average charging power, and overall infrastructure performance, including in colder northern European conditions.

According to Peter Ziegler, Head of E-Charging Components at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the real challenge lies behind the scenes.

Megawatt charging allows charging outputs of up to 1,000kW, a major jump from today’s CCS systems. For the eActros 600, this means charging from 20% to 80% in around 30 minutes, making it far more practical for long-haul operations where uptime is money.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks says faster charging could significantly improve vehicle utilisation for fleet operators, provided the charging infrastructure keeps pace. While MCS sites are still limited across Europe, real-world tests like this are seen as critical for accelerating adoption and proving that electric long-haul trucking can work beyond controlled test environments.

For operators sitting on the fence, this kind of testing sends a clear message: electric trucks are no longer just concept machines, they’re being worked hard, on real roads, doing real kilometres.