Centurion puts 1st 20 M-B electric eActros trucks to work

News

6 Mar

Leading Australian logistics provider Centurion has hit the road with its electric Mercedes-Benz truck fleet that operates on 100 per cent off-grid solar energy.

The company is serving the Perth greater metropolitan area with the fully electric eActros trucks that emit zero exhaust emissions and are powered using energy from a 4.4 megawatt rooftop solar installation at its Hazelmere depot.

The first 20 trucks are now operational, with a further ten to join the fleet in the next few months. They consist of eActros rigid and prime mover models featuring innovative e-axle technology and have a range of up to 300km.

Centurion CEO, Justin Cardaci, says it made sense to work with Daimler Truck for the $30 million-plus project.

"We required the most advanced zero emission electric trucks for this project and were thrilled Mercedes-Benz could provide us with the eActros. We have a long relationship with Daimler Truck and know how committed they are to innovation and technological leadership."

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, says Centurion is demonstrating how sustainable logistics can work.

“Centurion is demonstrating true leadership in the field of sustainable road transport and we are so excited to be part of this initiative with our eActros,” he said. “The Centurion team is showing that battery electric logistics is a reality now and is not just something for the future.”

Andrew Assimo, Daimler Truck Vice President of Sales and Marketing, says Daimler Truck is looking forward to seeing the eActros deliver for Centurion’s customers.

“We are pleased Centurion has identified the eActros as the best electric truck for this pioneering project and we know that its class-leading technology will make it a real success.

“We have also been out in front with a full range of heavy-duty trucks using our reliable Euro 6 emission technology in Australian fleets from 2016, so we really are able to support our customers as they look for sustainable practical solutions whether they be diesel or electric.”

Daimler Truck introduced the first electric production truck in Australia back in 2019 and its electric portfolio includes the next-generation Fuso eCanter, Mercedes-Benz eActros and eEconic.

The Centurion project was made possible thanks to the federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Future Fuels Program which contributed $15.8 million.

In addition to the 4.4 megawatt solar installation, the Centurion Hazelmere facility also features more than 10 megawatt hours of battery capacity and 15 dual port slow and fast chargers.