The electric trucks revolutionising the industry

It wasn’t that long ago when the prospect of an electrified truck was a pipe-dream, cast aside as an improbable idea to help clean-up the haulage industry. 

Adding a battery to a big, heavy truck was regarded as illogical, with concerns around range not helping progress.

But thanks to advancements in battery technology and chemistry, electric trucks are becoming a more viable option for delivery firm’s across the world. Take Swiss firm Holcim; the building material manufacturer recently ordered 1000 electric trucks, with the deal becoming Volvo’s largest commercial order for electric vehicles to date. 

And this growth in electric trucks is set to rise further as new models enter the fray. We take a look at some of the models that are set to revolutionise the distribution sector.

Mercedes-Benz eActros

The German brand is slowly growing its range of electric trucks, and plans to launch a Tesla Semi rival by the end of 2024 with a range of up to 310 miles. Its main success, however, has been with the eActros, a smaller truck designed for urban logistics and deliveries.

Mercedes-Benz eActros

Offered with a choice of batteries, the range-topping eActros has a claimed range of up to 250 miles due to its huge 448kWh battery and can be charged from 20-80% in 100 minutes – that’s impressive for a battery pack of this size.

Renault Trucks D Wide E-Tech Electric

The French truck firm has been experimenting in the electric vehicle segment for some time, but didn’t launch its full range of electrified models until 2019. Renault’s electric truck range is formed of the D E-Tech Electric and the more versatile D Wide E-Tech Electric.

Renault Trucks D Wide E-Tech Electric

There’s a choice of battery options, but it’s the range-topping 375kWh that offers the best range – 155 miles to be exact. Fully laden, the Renault D Wide is more likely to achieve 70-100 miles. Charging can be done at 150kW allowing for a 20-80% charge in a commendable, one hour and 50 minutes. Renault’s D Wide has multiple use applications and is best known for its role as a waste collection truck. Price is over the £100,000 mark.

Scania Electric Truck

The Scandinavian brand currently offers two electric trucks: a smaller machine aimed at urban logistics and a larger machine for regional distribution. The HGV-style Scania features a vast 624kWh battery (468kWh usable), with the firm promising a range of up to 217 miles with a 40-tonne load – or 155 miles with a 64-tonne load.

Scania Electric Truck

Right now, Scania’s Battery Electric Truck costs more than double the price of an equivalent diesel. But considering the Swedish brand only set out on its truck ambitions in 2020, the fact that it already has two electric models on sale is worthy of praise.

Quantron QHD BEV

The German brand set out in the electric bus market before expanding into the commercial vehicle segment with a range of electric trucks. Originally centred on inner-city logistics, Quantron recently launched its QHD BEV larger goods vehicles aimed at regional and local deliveries.

Quantron QHD BEV

Quantron’s electric HGV is effectively an electric conversion of the DAF CF Space Cab. It has an output of 350kW, and a range of 136 miles (when 50% laden). Power comes from a 280kWh battery, which can be recharged in 6.5 hours at a speed of up to 150kW.  The unit also offers a whopping 2583lb ft of torque, a six-speed automatic gearbox and automatic brake regeneration.

Tesla Semi

It might have arrived late, but Tesla’s first attempt at a HGV is certainly one to admire. Promising a range of up to 500 miles, Tesla says its aerodynamically-honed truck can achieve a 0-60mph time of just 20 seconds, when fully loaded and when travelling uphill with a 5% gradient.

Tesla Semi

Using a fast charger, the Semi truck can be charged up to 70% in just 30 minutes, with Tesla promising an energy consumption of less than 2kWh per mile. Tesla’s Semi truck features a central driving position for improved visibility, while external cameras further aid the driver’s view of the truck. The Semi starts from around $180,000.

Volvo VNR

Volvo kick-started its electric truck ambitions in 2018 with the launch of the FL, a 186-mile last-mile delivery truck for urban deliveries. Now Volvo has six models as part of its electric line-up which are based on the firm’s existing combustion-powered models.

Volvo VNR

While its range of trucks have specific use cases – the FMX Electric, for example, is designed for use on construction sites – the brand’s VNR flagship is the standout model. Equipped with a huge 565kWh battery, which gives a range of up to 275 miles (unladen). Power comes from a 339kWh electric motor which develops 4051lb ft of torque. 

The VNR can be charged from 0-80% in 90 minutes, which isn’t bad considering the size of its battery. Prices start from around $150,000, but with extras is likely to be near $200,000.

DAF XD & XF

Dutch firm DAF launched its first electric CF truck in 2018 as an articulated machine for urban deliveries. Now the firm has three models in its electric line-up: the LF for last-mile deliveries; the XD for regional and city applications; and the XF for both regional and national haulage.

DAF XD & XF

DAF only launched the XD and XF models last year, with both offered with modular powertrains developing between 170 to 350 kW and a choice of battery packs offering ranges from 125 to 310 miles - although that depends on the size of the load and conditions.

Ree P7-B

Its design might be more closely matched to a van, but the Ree P7-B is a delivery truck that is focused on the fast-growing delivery vehicle market. Designed to Class 3 delivery truck standard, the P7-B can be used in the form of a 16-foot van or delivery truck.

Ree P7-B

The P7-B features an ‘ultra-low’ flat floor which maximises interior capacity, and can accept a payload weighing up to 2000kg. It has an all-wheel-drive set-up that develops 400kW and 402lb ft of torque. Top speed is limited to 75mph, with the Ree able to travel up to 150 miles between charges - although this is expected to be lower if fully laden.

Mercedes eActros 600

The German brand plans to launch an even bigger 44-tonne electric truck to rival the Tesla Semi Truck in 2024, with the eActros 600 set to use a huge 621kWh battery.

Mercedes says it has used lithium-ion phosphate battery cells for its battery to ensure a longer service life, stating that the technology used in the new e-truck offered the same level of durability as a conventional truck, with the new eActros capable of 1.2m km in 10 years of operation.

With such a large battery onboard, Mercedes claims the eActros 600 will have a range of up to 500km (310 miles), although this will likely drop depending on the amount of cargo being towed. 

The truck giant says that with intermediate charging during prescribed driver breaks, the eActros should be able to cover more than 1000km (600 miles) per day.