By Priya Singh
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Updated On: 17-Sep-2024 08:27 AM
The company plans to begin production of its first fully electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November.
Key Highlights:
According to a report from Reuters, Daimler Truck expects electric vehicles to account for half of its European sales by 2030, quoting Karin Radstrom, president of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Karin Radstrom, head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, revealed the ambitious goal as she prepares to take over as the leader of the entire Daimler Truck group next month.
Plans for Electric Truck Sales
Radstrom aims to sell as many as 30,000 electric trucks by the end of the decade. This number would represent 50% of Daimler's total vehicle sales in Europe. The company plans to begin production of its first fully electric heavy-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in November. The eActros 600 has already secured 2,000 orders.
Challenges in the Trucking Industry
Daimler's outgoing CEO, Martin Daum, stated that the European truck market is expected to remain slow until at least the first half of 2025. The company is dealing with reduced demand following chip and parts shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased production costs.
Electric Trucking and Industry Struggles
The trucking industry is likewise facing issues in reducing emissions from commercial vehicles, but its biggest clients, logistics organizations, are unwilling to pay extra for electric trucks because the charging infrastructure is still incomplete.
Also Read: Daimler Truck JV Breaks Ground on Electric CV Charging Site in Colton, California
CMV360 Says
Daimler Truck’s move towards electric trucks is a step in the right direction, especially with the growing focus on reducing emissions. However, the lack of charging infrastructure and the high costs of electric vehicles remain significant challenges that need to be addressed for wider adoption in the trucking industry.