Just a week after Tesla announced plans to build an electric semi, Daimler has unveiled its own electric truck — the Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck.
Electric Truck Designed For Short Range Distribution
Mercedes-Benz shows off the first fully electric heavy urban transport truck https://t.co/jh9cArw9xA by @etherington pic.twitter.com/iDwf8Nr6aF
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) July 27, 2016
The Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck isn’t designed for the long haul. Instead, it is intended for “urban short-radius distribution” — grocery store deliveries within a city, for example. In an urban environment, the electric truck’s lack of diesel emissions and low noise factor are considered to be considerable advantages.
Daimler claims that the truck will be able to haul 26 tons and travel 124 miles on a single charge. The truck will be powered by two electric motors near the rear wheels that spin the rear axle. The two motors will be able to generate a combined 335 horsepower, Daimler says.
Advances In Battery Technology Made Electric Truck Viable
Daimler points out that it is only now that battery technology has become efficient enough that electric trucks are a practical and cost-effective option. They say that as battery technology increases, so will the efficiency and capacity of electric trucks.
While the prototype is ready for inspection, Daimler promises to deliver its electric truck on a wide scale as early as 2020.
The Tesla Semi electric truck prototype could be ready for viewing as early as next year.
Take a look at today’s world premiere test drive in the video below.
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Sources:
USA Today
Tech Crunch
Fox News
Bloomberg