Megawatt Charging System in Real-World Testing: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Tests eActros 600 on 2,400-Kilometer Route

Leinfelden-Echterdingen (Germany) - Mercedes-Benz Trucks is testing megawatt charging in long-haul operation: Two eActros 600 trucks are testing the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) under real driving and charging conditions on a route of around 2,400 kilometers across Europe. The aim is to gain practical insights into the charging performance of heavy electric trucks.

The test drive runs from Germany through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark to Sweden. The objective is to ensure the best possible compatibility between the vehicle and megawatt charging stations from various manufacturers. The focus is on the charging curve, average charging power, and the performance of the MCS infrastructure - including under winter conditions.

Long-distance test for megawatt charging on long-haul routes

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is pushing ahead with the introduction of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for heavy battery-electric commercial vehicles. In a multi-week real-world test, two MCS-capable eActros 600 electric trucks are completing a journey of around 2,400 kilometers from Wörth am Rhein through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark to Linköping, Sweden. The goal is to test megawatt charging under real driving and charging conditions on long-haul routes - including winter temperatures in Northern Europe.

Development engineers are charging the vehicles at public and private MCS locations specifically designed for truck traffic. Among other factors, charging curves, average charging power, and the performance of charging infrastructure from various manufacturers are being analyzed. A key aspect is system harmonization.

“The key challenges in megawatt charging lie in harmonizing 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”, explains Peter Ziegler, Head of E-Charging Components at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Currently, there are only a few publicly accessible megawatt charging stations in Europe. As a result, real-world driving data is particularly important to support further expansion along key long-haul routes and to provide planning data for operators and energy suppliers.

Economic perspectives through ultra-fast charging

With charging capacities of up to 1,000 kW, the Megawatt Charging System promises significantly faster charging processes compared to the widely used CCS technology. Based on internal simulations, the batteries of the eActros 600 can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes using MCS. For logistics companies, this could be a decisive factor, as charging times can be better aligned with legally mandated driver rest breaks.

Faster recharging increases daily vehicle availability and thus utilization in long-haul transport. Given the availability of MCS infrastructure, this can offer economic advantages and facilitate the transition from diesel to electric power. The MCS standard is being developed internationally by the CharIN organization in cooperation with manufacturers and is intended to ensure standardized interfaces between trucks and charging stations.

The technical basis of the test is the eActros 600, equipped with three lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, each with a capacity of 207 kWh, for a total installed capacity of 621 kWh. Thanks to the high usable capacity of LFP technology, ranges of around 500 kilometers are possible without intermediate charging. Combined with opportunity charging, the vehicle can reportedly achieve daily distances well above 1,000 kilometers - a key argument for electric long-haul transport.

Source: IWR Online, 22 Jan 2026