Daimler Truck Southern Africa powers up with the launch of its eActros and eCanter range in South AfricA.

  • Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) drives innovation by taking its first step towards CO2 neutral transportation with the introduction of their battery electric trucks.
  • Charged and ready, Mercedes-Benz Trucks launches and opens the order book for its eActros range in South Africa.
  • Zero noise, Zero Emission, FUSO launches its eCanter in South Africa and continues its customer trials.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – In line with Daimler Truck’s global ambition to offer 100% CO2 neutral trucks and buses by 2050, DTSA introduced its first fully battery-electric truck range in the presence of media, customers, dealers, and key stakeholders at an exclusive event in
Lanseria. Launched at the event was the Mercedes-Benz eActros 300, comprising a 4x2 and 6x2 rigid, along with a truck tractor variant. Also launched was the eActros 400 6x2 rigid and eCanter range. This comprehensive range offers zero emission during operation and focusses
on light and heavy-duty distribution applications for now until local vehicle weight and length legislation allows the introduction of long-haul application vehicles. The eActros range is immediately available for sale to customers, with the strong backing of the DTSA team to ensure customer readiness, and effective running of these vehicles in their operations.

In addition, DTSA announced its ongoing strategic plans for the FUSO eCanter range, which entails the roll-out of extended collaborative trials with its customers. With a portfolio that comprises 6 units, each unit will be allocated to a customer for a three-month trial period, specifically for in-city distribution. The objective of these extended trials is for customers to establish performance and infrastructure requirements to successfully run battery electric trucks in their fleet. The FUSO eCanter journey in South Africa commenced in 2020, when the brand became the first OEM to bring a 100% electric truck to South Africa, paving the way for electric truck homologation in the country and establishing a strong foothold for DTSA. The
eCanter will be available for sale on operating lease after the completion of customer trials.

“The launch of the eActros and the eCanter in South Africa is a massive feat for us. While we know that to reach our ultimate goal of offering 100% CO2 neutral products by 2050 will require various zero emission technologies, this launch represents the vital first step for us in building a sustainable future for transportation. We look forward to customer feedback to better support them as we tread new grounds.” Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO, Daimler Truck Southern Africa commented.

She continues, “a significant investment from various parties as well as support and collaboration across the industry is required to make battery electric truck operations a viable solution in South Africa, especially when it comes to charging infrastructure. DTSA welcome initiatives, public or private, that contributes to EV charging for trucks as a catalyst for electric trucks adoption.”

More information about the eCanter
The eCanter has six HV battery packs with a battery capacity of 83 kWh and a travel range of up to 100km1. The charging time for the eCanter on quick charge is maximum 1 hour 30 min on a 50 kW DC charger and 11 hours on regular charging. The eCanter has a single-speed transmission, with a Gross Vehicle Mass of 7.5 tons and a body & payload capacity of 4.2 tons. The electric motor performance generates 135 kW and 390 Nm torque. The eCanter has a wheelbase of 3400mm and overall length of 5952mm.


More information about the eActros
The eActros 300 has three Lithium-Ion Battery packs with a battery capacity of 336 kWh2 and offers a travel range of up to 330 kilometers3. The eActros 300 charges its batteries from 20% to 80% at 160kW in 1 hour 15 minutes4. The Gross Vehicle Mass of the eActros 300 rigid variants ranges from 19 to 27 tons, offering body & payloads ranging from 8.2 to 16.1 tons. The eActros 300 Truck Tractor has a Gross Combination Mass of 40 tons.

The eActros 400 is equipped with four Lithium-Ion Battery packs with a battery capacity of 4482 kWh and offers a travel range of up to 400 kilometers5. The eActros 400 charges its batteries from 20% to 80% at 160 kW in 1 hour 40 minutes4. The eActros 400 has a Gross Vehicle Mass of 27 tons, offering a body & payload of up to 15.4 tons.

Both the eActros 300 and eActros 400 has a drive unit comprising of a rigid electric axle with two integrated, liquid cooled, electric motors and a two-speed transmission that delivers a continuous output of 330 kW and a peak output of 400 kW.

We look forward to seeing what the future holds as we continue Daimler Trucks’ strive to offer 100% Zero Emission products by 2050.

 1. Range varies according to running condition.

2. Nominal capacity of a new battery, based on internally defined general conditions. This can vary depending on the application and
environmental conditions.

3. The range was determined in-house under optimal conditions, among other things, with 3 battery packs after preconditioning in partially
loaded distribution haulage without a trailer with a 4x2 axle configuration at an outside temperature of 20°C and may deviate from the values
determined in accordance with (EU) Regulation 2017/2400.

4. The eActros can be charged with up to 160 kW: Based on figures determined in accordance with company-internal experience, under optimal
conditions – including when connected to a regular 400A DC charging station at an ambient temperature of 20 °C – the three battery packs
need a little longer than 1 hour to charge from 20 to 80%.

5. The range was determined in-house under optimal conditions, among other things, with 4 battery packs after preconditioning in partially
loaded distribution haulage without a trailer at an outside temperature of 20°C and may deviate from the values determined in accordance
with (EU) Regulation 2017/2400.

Media enquiries:
Jacqueline Fourie
Cell: 0796957485
e-mail: jacqueline.fourie@daimlertruck.com


Daimler Truck Southern Africa at a glance
Established in South Africa over 60 years ago, Daimler Truck Southern Africa together with its brands provide an optimal experience, expertise, and attractive products and services to its customers. The Company’s success is based on its strong brands inclusive of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses, FUSO Trucks in addition to offering parts and services for Freightliner and Western Star Trucks. Its comprehensive product range is backed by market-leading value-added services in Fleetboard, TruckStore, TruckTraining, and Daimler Trucks Financial Services. With a Southern African footprint that includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, the company is headquartered in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa, and all its products are assembled locally in its East London production plant.