Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 begins round-the-world electric

Tobias Wagner, a professional truck driver and content creator known as 'Elektrotrucker,' has set off on a round-the-world tour in a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric truck. The journey began on 20 September at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover, Germany. Wagner aims to be the first person to circumnavigate the globe with a long-haul electric truck within one year.

Route and global scope

The planned route spans approximately 45,000 kilometres across 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The final itinerary may still change as travel planning progresses. Following the launch in Hanover, the initial European leg runs through the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria to Turkey. From mid-October, the journey is set to continue through Central and East Asia, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Further stages are planned in Australia, the USA, and various countries in Latin America.

Vehicle modifications and charging capability

The expedition vehicle is based on a standard-production Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 from the Wörth am Rhein plant. It has been extensively modified for the global tour. Upgrades include two spare-wheel carriers, single tyres, auxiliary headlights integrated into the sun visor, and a specially developed camper body from Bliss Mobil that provides accommodation. A key modification is Wagner's own Alpitronic DC charging station, which allows the truck to draw power from AC circuits at up to 43 kW if necessary. The vehicle can also use standard CCS technology with a charging capacity of 400 kW.

Goals and broader significance

The primary aim is to document the performance of battery-electric long-haul technology under a wide range of geographical, climatic, and infrastructural conditions. Wagner aims to complete the journey with a maximum of 80 charging stops. The expedition also seeks to promote dialogue on the expansion of charging infrastructure for road freight transport. Christian Wilz, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany, stated the journey sends a strong signal about how far the technology has come. He said the company is delighted Wagner chose the eActros 600 and that the journey will inspire people beyond the transport sector.

Tobias Wagner said he wants to find out just how far battery-electric technology has really come. "I have been driving battery-electric trucks in international long-haul transport for several years and know what is already possible today," he said. He plans to visit places where electric mobility is already a reality and where it still faces limitations, documenting various operational scenarios to create a practical picture of global battery-electric long-distance transport.

Support, background and technical specs

Internationally active logistics company DHL is providing support for vehicle transport on the necessary sea routes between continents. Wagner brings extensive electric driving experience to the challenge, having covered around 200,000 kilometres electrically and driven battery-electric trucks from several manufacturers on national and international routes. Since 2024, he has worked as a professional driver for Nanno Janssen Spedition in Germany.

The eActros 600 uses three 207 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs, giving an installed capacity of 621 kWh. Mercedes-Benz Trucks quotes a range of around 500 kilometres for the eActros 600 at 40 tonnes in long-haul conditions. The expedition vehicle’s operating weight is lower than a fully loaded articulated combination, which may enable a longer range. The model is already operating commercially in more than 15 European countries, having undergone extensive testing tours in Europe.

Wagner will continue the journey through Central and East Asia, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.