Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Logistics service provider Simon Loos once again relies on electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz Trucks and orders 75 eActros 600. The company from the Netherlands is thus expanding its electric fleet, which consists mainly of Mercedes-Benz trucks, to a total of 135. The contract concluded at the IAA Transportation in Hanover is one of Mercedes-Benz Trucks' largest orders for electric trucks to date.
This summer, Simon Loos was the first company outside Germany to start practical testing of the eActros 600, for which three professional drivers were specially trained by test engineers from Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Within a few months, the near-series prototype of the eActros 600 drove 25,000 kilometers between suppliers and the regional and national distribution centers of Albert Heijn, the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, and proved its practical suitability in terms of driving comfort, safety, energy consumption and range.
Tjeerd Tromp, Head of Sales at Daimler Truck Nederland, is proud of the cooperation between Simon Loos and Daimler Truck Nederland: "There has been a genuine partnership between the two companies for decades. Simon Loos has made an important contribution to optimizing the eActros 600, which will soon go into series production, by carrying out practical tests. It is therefore great that this cooperation is confirmed by an order of this magnitude. This not only shows the confidence in our product, but also that electric trucks can already be fully utilized in daily use."
Wim Roks, Fleet Manager at Simon Loos, is also delighted with the new addition: "The eActros 600 is a real game changer. While we used to be able to safely plan around 250 to 300 kilometers per trip with electric vehicles, we will be able to cover 500 kilometers with these vehicles. This means that the route is no longer a planning obstacle for our company, and we are taking a big step forward in the integration of electromobility."
The first eActros 600 in the distinctive Simon Loos look is set to hit the road in the first quarter of 2025. The majority of the vehicles are intended for supplying retail companies. The vehicles are charged at the customer's premises.
About the eActros 600
The eActros 600 for long-distance haulage celebrated its world premiere end of 2023. The high battery capacity of over 600 kilowatt hours[1] - hence the model designation 600 – and a new, particularly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house enable the electric truck to achieve a range of 500 kilometers[2] without intermediate charging. This range is accomplished under very realistic and practical conditions with a gross combination mass of 40 tons, and can also be significantly exceeded depending on the driving style and route. The eActros 600 will even be able to cover well over 1,000 kilometers per day. Intermediate charging during statutory driver breaks – even without megawatt charging – makes this possible, provided that charging options are available. In addition to CCS charging with up to 400 kW, the eActros 600 will later also enable megawatt charging (MCS).
Visually, the long-haul electric truck is characterized by a fundamentally new, minimalist design with clear lines and an aerodynamic shape. In terms of profitability for fleet operators, the electric truck will set new standards and replace the majority of diesel trucks in the important long-distance transport segment in the long term. The core of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks concept for battery-powered long-distance haulage is to offer customers a holistic transportation solution comprising vehicle technology, consulting, a charging infrastructure, and services with the new TruckCharge brand. Mercedes-Benz Trucks will celebrate the start of series production of the eActros 600 at the end of November this year at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth. The first eActros 600 customer vehicles will be manufactured and registered before the end of 2024. The eActros 600 was recently named International Truck of the Year 2025 at the IAA Transportation in Hanover.
[1] The eActros 600 has three battery packs, each with 207 kWh. These offer an installed total capacity of 621 kWh. Nominal capacity of new battery, based on internally defined boundary conditions, may vary depending on use case and ambient conditions.
[2] The range was determined internally under specific test conditions, after preconditioning with a 4x2 tractor unit with a 40 tons total towing weight at 20°C outside temperature in long-haul operation and may deviate from the values determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/2400.
Article With Thanks to Daimler Truck