Long Range Electric eActros Comes Out on Top

The International Truck of the Year for 2025 process sees the IToY jury decide the long range electric eActros comes out on top. 24 editors and senior journalists from the commercial vehicle press representing 24 of Europe’s most important truck magazines voted the eActros 600 from Mercedes-Benz Trucks to be the best of the year.

The prestigious award was presented to Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, during the IAA Transportation Press Day in Hanover, Germany.

With 88 votes, the German truck manufacturer’s heavy-duty battery electric vehicle (BEV) beat stiff competition from Volvo Trucks’ Aero range with electric or conventional powertrains and the Iveco S-eWay electric tractor.

According to the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award goes to the truck launched in the previous 12 months, which makes the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. The judging is based on a number of critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental footprint, and total cost of ownership (TCO).

It’s the second time an electric truck has won the International Truck of the Year award, which dates back to 1977. In addition, five of the seven vehicles on this year’s IToY shortlist were battery-electric models with zero tailpipe emissions. This is another sign that the energy transition is gaining momentum among truck manufacturers and is attracting the interest of European transport operators.

The numerous IToY journalists who participated in the more than 15,000-kilometre eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024, organised by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, praised the new ProCabin’s advanced aerodynamics. With its protruding front section and smooth, curved surfaces, the ProCabin is designed to improve airflow by nine per cent compared to the current model.

The IToY journalists said they appreciated the powertrain’s performance, based on twin 400 kW electric motors on the electric axle and three LFP battery packs of 207 kWh each. This powertrain provides smooth acceleration with three different driving programmes in a quiet, vibration-free working environment.

As the International Truck of the Year judges witnessed, with over 600 kWh of installed capacity, a standard 40-tonne semitrailer combination can achieve a range of over 500 kilometres without intermediate recharging.

Summing up the jury’s vote, International Truck of the Year Chairman Gianenrico Griffini said: “Mercedes-Benz Trucks designed the eActros 600 as an electric truck right from the start. This decision has put a state-of-the-art BEV on the road capable of fulfilling a wide range of long-haul tasks.”