Based on the eActros platform, the eEconic is targeted at city municipalities for zero-emissions waste management.
- Mercedes-Benz adds another electric commercial vehicle to its fleet, known as the eEconic.
- Set to replace the combustion-powered Econic, the new EV is made for waste collection and is largely based on the existing eActros platform.
- After extensive testing earlier this year, production has officially begun, and customers who pre-order will soon receive their quiet and zero-emissions garbage trucks.
As the first of the new eEconic commercial platforms rolls off the assembly line in Wörth, Germany, residents in Denmark will soon enjoy quiet and zero-emission waste collection. Daimler’s latest commercial EV platform focuses on big city governments and waste collection. After extensive customer testing in May, the first production units will be acquired by Urbaser A/S, a waste management company in Copenhagen.
The eEconic is largely similar to Daimler’s previously released eActros architecture and will be manufactured on the Mercedes Special Trucks assembly line. Following a basic chassis assembly, the shell will be sent to the Future Truck Center, where electric drive components and batteries are installed. Mercedes says the specifications of the eEconic are largely identical to that of the eActros, meaning we can expect a three or four-pack battery capacity of 315 or 420 kWh and 249 miles of range.
What makes the eEconic interesting is the ergonomic advances for potential users. Because the model employs an electric drivetrain, the cab floor is level and allows significantly easier in-and-out movement for the operator. This means waste collectors can more frequently exit from the folding passenger side door and out of the way of potentially dangerous traffic.
Continuing the trend of better ergonomics, the instrument cluster is all-new compared to the traditional Econic and will feature a number of multimedia information screens. Mercedes has equipped the truck with a side-guard assistance system and the fifth generation of Active Brake assist emergency braking. In the name of increased visibility and driver comfort, the panoramic glazed windshield features a heated Thermocontrol system that can quickly burn off mist and precipitation.
“The exchange with our customers has shown: cities and municipalities want CO2-neutral vehicles for their fleets,” said Dr. Ralf Forcher, head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. “Especially with regard to large cities, there is a need for quiet, clean and safe logistics and waste disposal solutions.”
The customer analysis by Mercedes seems to be spot on. There’s no doubt EV commercial fleet conversion will be necessary in the push for cleaner roads, towns, and cities. While cities like New York implement a select EV fleet, the rate of change at an organization as massive as DSNY is indicative that municipal fleet change is an ongoing and slow-paced process.
That said, we’ll likely see municipal fleets updated as city, state, and federal regulations take effect. Daimler’s own carbon-neutral goals seem to fall in line with this thinking, shooting for purely carbon-neutral vehicles in North America, Europe, and Japan by 2039. Additionally, Daimler’s goal of full company carbon neutrality by 2050 is a perhaps lofty goal, but one the company is pursuing.
Due to the wide range of possible variants and no official number from Mercedes, pricing information is not available at this time.
Keyword: Mercedes eEconic Expands EV Garbage Truck Market