Mercedes-Benz Truck recently conducted winter tests in Rovaniemi, Finland, which proved to be essential endurance tests. This included vehicles from various model series – including prototypes of the battery-electric eActros LongHaul, with series readiness planned for 2024, and the battery-electric eActros 300 as a tractor unit the conventionally powered Actros L with a diesel engine. Furthermore, under extreme climatic conditions, such as on snowy and icy roadways, harsh winds and temperatures down to minus 25 degrees, the development and test team tested the individual models to derive possible measures for further optimization.
Dr Christof Weber, Head of Global Testing Mercedes-Benz Trucks: "Testing our product range under extreme winter conditions is also an essential part of our vehicle development in terms of alternative drives. Haulage companies must be able to rely on our electric trucks in a highly competitive environment at any time of year, just as they are used to from conventionally powered vehicles. For this reason, our test engineers in Finland put the vehicles through their paces for six weeks."
On the trip to Finland, Mercedes-Benz Truck development engineers took a close look at all the functions and systems of the vehicles in practical use. For example, support when changing lanes as part of the Active Sideguard Assist or active lane guidance with Active Drive Assist in the Actros L. Since several national borders had to be crossed, it was also possible to measure the impact of country-specific lane markings, traffic signs or digital map data on the performance of the assistance systems installed in the trucks. The fact that the trucks were tested all day long also allowed aspects such as the comfort of the driver’s seat to be evaluated.
Focus on battery-electric trucks during tests on the Arctic Circle.
In the case of the eActros LongHaul and the eActros 300 Tractor, experts paid particular attention to the battery properties and the electric drivetrain on-site in adverse weather conditions. For this purpose, elements including starting properties and drive components' protection from low temperatures, software and interfaces were tested. In addition, thermal and energy management systems were subjected to intensive testing. As a result, both ensure that both the drivetrain and the driver’s cab are temperature-controlled correctly and energy-efficiently, even at low temperatures.
This showed, for example, that the eActros LongHaul generally heats the cab faster than a diesel truck thanks to its smaller heating circuit with high output. However, since the energy for this is taken from the batteries installed in the vehicle and therefore, the range is reduced, so-called pre-conditioning of the electric truck at a charging station is advisable. After pre-conditioning, the eActros LongHaul loses less range even in extremely low temperatures.
Dr. Christof Weber, Head of Global Testing Mercedes-Benz Trucks: "We are very satisfied with our test results. The tests of the batteries and electric drivetrain properties at extreme temperatures or of the vehicle's driving properties on slick, icy roads show: Even in very wintry conditions, our battery-powered trucks are fully operational."
The winter test also included numerous tests on driving and braking properties on surfaces with different levels of grip as well as the impact of slush, for example, on the effectiveness of the sensors of driver assistance systems. Also tested was how the Trailer Stability Assistant can reduce the risk of tractor-trailers skidding during cornering or evasive maneuvers on winter roads and how the MirrorCam handles different contrast conditions on ice and snow.
Daimler Truck AG has released footage of their engineering team testing their Mercedes-Benz Trucks product range under extreme winter conditions. Winter testing, for any manufacturer, is an essential part of OEMs vehicle development in terms of alternative drives. So 180 test engineers went to Finland and put the vehicles through their paces for six weeks.
According to Dr Christof Weber, Head of Global Product Validation for Daimler Truck, the testing program focused on different areas such as validating the driving functions, drivability and driving modes. The company were also interested in vehicle safety, looking to improve on already very high standards to improve the safety of the trucks continuously.
A special focus was on e-mobility, part of the fleet included the eActros 300 tractor and eActros Long Haul. The company wanted to test drivability in extreme conditions, taking into account driving assistance features. Some other essential tests for the electric trucks were energy consumption, driving efficiency and to test charging in freezing temperatures. The team say they were happy with the test program results and have seen and proven that Mercedes Benz Trucks can offer fully electric trucks capable of delivering in extremely cold weather.
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