Craiss adds a dozen Mercedes eActros to its truck fleet

Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG is based in Mühlacker in southern Germany and has branches in several Central and Eastern European countries. The company is now purchasing ten eActros 600s for use in Germany and two eActros 300s in the lowliner version for Austria. The latter will go into service in October, while the larger 600s are not expected to be delivered for around twelve months. The start of series production of Mercedes’ electrically powered long-haul trucks is planned for the end of 2024 in Wörth.

Craiss intends to use the smaller eActros 300 in Austria for regional local transport. “In shuttle traffic, they will cover a distance of ten kilometres several times a day for Craiss on behalf of a local energy company,” according to an accompanying press release. As electric trucks are not allowed to be higher than four metres overall, Craiss opted for the lowliner version. With their lower chassis, the eActros 300 can also transport high semi-trailers – known as mega trailers (with an internal height of three metres). These semi-trailers are widely used in automotive logistics, for example.

“For us, ordering the eActros is an important investment in electric mobility and therefore a big step towards sustainability,” says Managing Director Michael Craiss – and adds with regard to the 600 trucks ordered: “The limited range has long been a hurdle for the use of electric trucks, which is why the 600 models are a small revolution. The charging times fit in well with the legally prescribed breaks for drivers and enable efficient utilisation.” The press photo shows that Craiss has already trialled a prototype of the eActros 600.

According to Craiss, purchasing electric vehicles also pays off financially. Although electric trucks are usually twice as expensive to lease as conventional truck models, they do not incur toll costs. “That balances out the monthly costs – provided the vehicles cover around 500 kilometres per trip.” The only obstacle Craiss currently sees is the charging infrastructure, which is not yet widely developed in Germany. The vehicles will thus initially be used in the existing regular service business so that charging stations can be firmly integrated into the route planning.

According to the Managing Director, electric truck technology fits in well with the company’s plans for the future: “We want to offer our customers, who attach great importance to environmental protection, green solutions tailored to their requirements.” That includes other low-CO2 drive types such as HVO100 and biogas. Craiss already has LNG vehicles. According to the manager, investment in further sustainable drive systems depends primarily on customer requirements.

Source: Information by e-mail