Mercedes-Benz eEconic trucks are not only eco-friendly but also road-friendly. The electric trucks, which are mainly used for waste management, have recently been deployed for road safety operations in Stockholm, Sweden. The company TMA Bolaget uses two special eEconic vehicles of short duration to secure construction sites, protecting workers and drivers from potential collisions.
What is the eEconic?
The eEconic is a fully electric truck based on the tried-and-true Econic, which was developed by Mercedes-Benz as a low-entry truck for urban use. The eEconic has a 27-tonne gross vehicle weight and a range of up to 186 miles (300 kilometers) on a single charge. It is powered by two electric motors integrated into the e-axle, delivering a continuous output of 330 kW and a peak output of 400 kW. The battery system consists of three packs with a total installed capacity of 112 kWh and a usable capacity of around 97 kWh. The charging process from 20 to 80 percent takes 75 minutes at a maximum power of 160 kW.
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric truck is designed to meet the needs of municipal applications, such as waste collection, fire fighting, and road maintenance. It offers a low and wide cab with a panoramic windshield, a kneeling function, and a folding co-driver’s door for easy access and visibility. It also features high safety and comfort, with systems such as Active Brake Assist, Sideguard Assist, and MirrorCam. The eEconic is compatible with various body types and configurations, making it a versatile and adaptable vehicle.
How is the eEconic used for road safety in Stockholm?
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is not only suitable for waste management, but also for road safety. In Stockholm, the company TMA Bolaget, a leading road safety enterprise, has recently added two eEconic special-purpose vehicles to its fleet. The vehicles are equipped with mobile impact absorbers, also known as TMA or truck-mounted attenuators, to secure construction sites of short duration, for example. The truck-mounted attenuator can protect all parties involved in the event of a collision by absorbing the impact energy and reducing the risk of injury and damage.
The two eEconic vehicles were customized by Vicky Teknik, a Swedish company with many years of experience with TMA bodies. The vehicles have a separate battery system with approximately 20 hours of operating capacity per charge and additional solar cells. The battery system powers the TMA body and the warning lights, while the solar cells provide extra energy and reduce the need for charging. The vehicles also have a remote control system that allows the driver to operate the TMA body from a safe distance.
The eEconic vehicles are part of a pilot project that aims to test the feasibility and benefits of using electric trucks for road safety operations. The project is supported by the Swedish Transport Administration and the Swedish Energy Agency, as well as Daimler Truck, the manufacturer of the eEconic. The project will evaluate the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of the eEconic vehicles, as well as the user feedback and acceptance.
Why is the eEconic a good choice for road safety?
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is a good choice for road safety for several reasons. First, it is environmentally friendly, as it produces zero local emissions and reduces noise pollution. This is especially important in urban areas, where air quality and noise levels are major concerns. The eEconic also contributes to the climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
Second, it is cost-effective, as it has lower operating and maintenance costs than conventional trucks. The electric drive system has fewer moving parts and requires less servicing than a diesel engine. The intelligent power management system also optimizes energy consumption and battery degradation. The eEconic also benefits from the lower electricity prices compared to diesel prices.
Third, it is user-friendly, as it offers a comfortable and ergonomic working environment for the driver and the crew. The low-entry cab facilitates the frequent entry and exit of the vehicle, while the panoramic windshield and the MirrorCam enhance the visibility and awareness of the surroundings. The eEconic also has a high level of connectivity and digitalization, with systems such as the Multimedia Cockpit, the Truck Data Center, and the Fleetboard services.
What are the future prospects of the eEconic?
The eEconic is part of the e-mobility strategy of Daimler Truck, which aims to offer a comprehensive range of electric trucks for various applications and markets. The eEconic is one of the first models to enter series production, which started in the summer of 2022 at the Wörth plant in Germany. The eEconic is expected to be followed by other models, such as the eActros LongHaul for long-distance transport, the eActros for distribution transport, and the eCascadia and eM2 for the North American market.
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is also part of the innovation roadmap of Daimler Truck, which envisions a carbon-neutral transport system by 2050. The roadmap includes not only battery-electric vehicles but also hydrogen-based fuel-cell vehicles, such as the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, which is planned to enter series production in the second half of the decade. The roadmap also covers the development of alternative fuels, such as renewable natural gas and synthetic fuels, as well as the improvement of efficiency and aerodynamics of conventional vehicles.
The eEconic is a pioneer and a role model for the future of urban mobility and road safety. It demonstrates the potential and the benefits of using electric trucks for municipal applications, as well as the challenges and solutions for their integration into the existing infrastructure and operations. The eEconic is not only an electric truck but also a statement of responsibility and sustainability.