Amazon inks deal for over 200 Mercedes eActros 600 semis

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Mercedes eActros 600 for Amazon
The world's leading online retailer has placed its largest-ever order of electrified semi trucks which will be deployed across high-mileage routes in the UK and Germany.
Daimler Trucks

Get ready to see battery-electric Mercedes Truck semis hauling Amazon trailers - in Europe, that is.

The world's biggest online retailer has signed its largest ever e-truck order with Mercedes-Benz Trucks to procure more than 200 eActros 600 battery-electric, zero-emission heavy goods tractors. This is also the manufacturer's largest order for electric trucks to date. 

The eActros 600 semi remains an overseas-only tractor, which is why this deal is only for Europe where the vehicles will be deployed across high-mileage routes along Amazon's middle-mile network. They'll be tasked with transporting cargo containers between fulfilment and sorting centers as well as delivery stations. 

Amazon confirms 140 trucks will be assigned to the UK while the remaining units are staying in Germany. All told, the trucks will transport over 350 million packages with zero-exhaust emissions. Amazon says it'll install 360 kW charging stations at key locations, allowing the eActros 600 to go from a 20 to 80 percent charge in just over an hour.

“We are very pleased that Amazon, a pioneer in the transformation towards alternative drives, has chosen the eActros 600, a gamechanger for sustainable transportation," said Karin Radstrom, chairwoman of the board of management of Daimler Truck.

The eActros 600's designation comes from its battery capacity of over 600 kWh. It's fitted with an electric drive axle which helps it reach a range of around 310 miles (500 kilometers) on a single charge. 

Making a pit stop for charging increases range to more than 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). Impressively, this can be accomplished without Megawatt charging, a crucial, ultra-fast charging method rival OEMs, specifically Tesla, have designated necessary for success in the significantly larger North American market. 

[Related: Voltera CEO: 'Megawatt charging can't come soon enough]

“This order of more than 200 electric trucks underlines our commitment to being a leader in electrifying heavy goods transportation in Europe," adds Andreas Marschner, vice president of Amazon worldwide operations sustainability. "It is the biggest electric heavy truck order by Amazon to date anywhere in the world, and is an important step as we work to achieve our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2040."

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado, and spends his free time snowboarding, climbing, and hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

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