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Electric Trucks Prove Their Case: Driver Rejects Diesel, Renault Retrofits Yard Rigs

Toll relief is cited as a strong near-term lever to speed fleet adoption.

Overview

  • Long-haul electric truck driver Tobias Wagner reports 550 km range at full load and up to 700 km when lighter in a Mercedes eActros 600 across Europe.
  • He says higher upfront prices are offset within two to three years once purchase, operation, maintenance and tolls are included.
  • Wagner describes charging access as sufficient and improving, noting large charging parks even in Bulgaria and Romania.
  • At Renault TrucksBourg-en-Bresse site, Renault and start-up Neo Trucks convert used T-series tractors into battery-electric yard trucks with a central motor and nine battery modules totaling about 108 kWh.
  • The conversions cost just under €200,000, are limited to roughly 25 km/h, offer up to 80 kW stationary or 22 kW mobile charging, avoid road-approval requirements for yard use, and reduce maintenance needs.