Australian transport and logistics firm Centurion is set to operate 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks as part of the country’s first 100% renewable energy off-grid battery electric vehicle fleet.
The Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Future Fuels Programme will contribute $15.8 million toward the $29 million project that will enable the trucks to join Centurion’s Perth metro fleet.
By the end of 2024, the eActros trucks will be fully powered by four megawatts of rooftop solar generation and off-grid battery energy storage, using 15 dual port chargers at Centurion’s Hazelmere depot.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and chief executive Daniel Whitehead says the project follows a pattern of innovation at Centurion and applauded its chief executive Justin Cardaci for his leadership.
“Sustainability leadership is often talked about but rarely proven in this industry. Justin and the team at Centurion are true believers in making our world more sustainable; they are not just in it for a green headline,” he says.
“This remarkable off-grid eActros project is truly inspiring, but Centurion has long been focused on reducing emissions and has been running the most fuel-efficient trucks that meet or exceed Euro 6 emission standards from Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz for many years, well before the standards are regulated,” Whitehead says.
Cardaci says the project represents a significant step in Centurion’s decarbonisation journey.
“Centurion actively seeks to deploy technology where it’s ready to displace the diesel transport equivalent and the ARENA funding certainly helps support the project’s economics,” he says.
“For most of our operations, the zero emissions heavy transport technology won’t be ready for several years. However, battery electric trucks are now ready for operations across the wider metropolitan area and it’s great that Centurion has the capacity to bring this technology into our fleet.
“Operating a real zero emissions Mercedes-Benz eActros truck fleet from off grid solar and battery is a significant step in supporting the energy transition,” Cardaci says.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific sales, marketing and operations vice president, Andrew Assimo, says the eActros, which can carry heavy loads and has a range of more than 300km, is the perfect choice for Centurion.
“Thanks to a massive investment in engineering by Daimler Truck, the eActros brings the most advanced technology to the class with innovative features such as the efficient eAxle.
“We can’t wait to see the eActros hit the road in Centurion colours as part of this fantastic initiative and look forward to helping Justin and his team continue their sustainability leadership,” Assimo adds.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros will be officially launched in Australia in May, along with the next generation fully-electric Fuso eCanter.
