Series production of the battery electric Mercedes-Benz eActros is set to begin at the Wörth plant in Germany next year with the eEconic soon to follow.
The trucks will be built alongside existing combustion engine models and integrated into the production process “as far as possible” with basic vehicle structures built on one line, the company says.
However, the installation of electric drive components and powertrains will take place in a separate process.
Following the eActros rollout in 2021, the battery-electric eEconic is set for the Wörth production line in 2022.
For around a year, work has been going on to convert a separate building of the plant and prepare it for the new production processes.
This includes setting up a new assembly line for all the electrical architecture and high-voltage components. Subsequently, the vehicles will be fed back into the regular production process for finishing and final inspection.
The Wörth site is the largest Mercedes-Benz Trucks assembly plant and was founded in 1963 producing the brand’s Arocs, Atego, Actros as well as special trucks Econic, Unimog and Zetros.
Up to 470 trucks leave Wörth every day for customers in over 150 countries. The plant has around 10,300 workers and is the second-largest employer in the state.
Wörth plant head Matthias Jurytko says he’s “delighted” the site will be building the first generation eActros.
“The start of series production next year is an important milestone for the plant and the region.
“We are expanding the portfolio of the Wörth plant and taking another positive step in the direction of CO2-neutral transport.”
Electromobility will also open up new opportunities for employees in the production process, as new a range of tasks and job profiles will emerge as a result, he says.
“At the site, preparations are in full swing to get our production ready for the demands associated with electric drive systems.
“For example, we are currently training our future specialists in the field of high-voltage systems – a fundamental area of expertise as far as the assembly of automotive batteries and the construction of electric trucks is concerned,” Jurytko says.
The decision in favour of the site also comes with the full backing of the works council representatives.
Works council chairman Thomas Zwick says being chosen to build the first series eActros in Wörth “sends out a very positive and important signal”.
“It’s something we fought for and I am proud that we are entrusted to build our products of the future here.
“It means we can secure jobs here at the plant and, together with the staff, we can take the path that lies ahead: namely the transition of an entire industry to new drive systems, more flexibility and connectivity,” Zwick says.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks became the first manufacturer worldwide to present a heavy-duty electric truck at the IAA in 2016. Since 2018, it has been undergoing intensive practical trials with customers.
The findings from the customer tests are being fed back into the further development of the prototype before making their way into the series-production vehicle.
The company says trials so far have shown the eActros is “the ideal vehicle” for sustainable heavy-duty distribution with a 200km range. When used in urban traffic, on freeways or in overland traffic, it is in no way inferior to a conventional diesel truck when it comes to availability and power delivery, it says.
Green production
Daimler is also is setting the course for “green” production in Germany and Europe with all its plants to be supplied by CO2-neutral energy by 2022.
This means that the electrical energy purchased by the existing truck and bus factories will only be received from renewable sources. The Wörth plant will shift progressively to green production and in so doing contribute to the decarbonisation of Daimler Trucks, the company says.
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