Mercedes-Benz Trucks tests megawatt charging in long-haul endurance test

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is conducting a 2,400km test of megawatt charging system (MCS) technology with two eActros 600 battery electric trucks, traveling from Germany to Sweden via the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

The starting point is the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein, with the destination being Linköping in southern Sweden. The vehicles are scheduled to be recharged at both public and private MCS locations specifically designed for trucks.

Mercedes-Benz Truck said the test will evaluate vehicle compatibility with MCS charging stations from various manufacturers, as well as real-world usability under winter conditions.

MCS charging can deliver up to 1,000 kW, allowing the eActros 600 to charge from 20 to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes, compared to longer charging times with current combined charging system (CCS) technology.

Peter Ziegler, head of e-charging components at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said the key challenges in megawatt charging “lie in harmonising the vehicle with various charging systems”.

“At the same time, the extreme charging currents in MCS charging place high demands on thermal management. The current test run provides an important opportunity to evaluate these aspects under real-world operating conditions,” he added.

While only a limited number of public MCS locations are currently available in Europe, the MCS standard is being developed by the CharIN organisation and standardised internationally in collaboration with truck manufacturers.