Could we be seeing the first major automotive firm rolling out electric trucks soon? Mercedes Benz Trucks has announced it is doing a limited launch of the world’s first completely electric heavy duty truck, that will be sold to a small number of customers later in 2017.

Commenting on the Urban eTruck roll-out, Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes Benz Trucks worldwide, sad: “Following the world premiere in September 2016 at the International Commercial Vehicle Show the customer reaction was outstanding. We are currently talking to around 20 potential customers from the disposal, foodstuffs and logistics sector. With the small series we are now rapidly taking the next step towards a series product.

“By 2020 we want to be on the market with the series generation.”

Buchner added: “Zero emissions, quiet as a whisper and with a payload of 12.8 t: The Urban eTruck offers an impressive economical and environmentally friendly concept. The vehicle will initially go in a low two-figure number of units to customers in Germany – and later in Europe too. It will be used in real transportation applications there.”

For hard pressed councils and city governments tackling ever growing pollution problems and congestion, this news from Mercedes Benz may be a light at the end of a long tunnel. Pollution is known to kill high numbers of people across Europe’s major cities every year and the move to a zero emissions truck could be the answer to many politicians’ prayers. If successful, in the face of increasing regional legislation this could have a significant uptake among customers right across Europe.  
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