Mercedes-Benz Trucks will use IAA Transportation 2026 to showcase its latest developments across battery-electric, hydrogen and diesel powertrain technologies, with a particular focus on solutions for long-haul and high-volume transport.
The highlight will be the new eActros Lowliner, which expands the company’s battery-electric portfolio into volume transport applications. Available with either two or three LFP battery packs, the 4×2 tractor is designed with a low fifth-wheel height to accommodate mega-trailers and maximise interior volume.
Each battery pack has a capacity of 207 kWh, giving the eActros 400 Lowliner an installed capacity of 414 kWh and the eActros 600 Lowliner 621 kWh. The latter offers a range broadly comparable to the standard eActros 600, which can cover up to 500 km without intermediate charging under specified test conditions. The eActros 400 Lowliner, with its lower vehicle weight, offers a payload of up to 24 tonnes, compared with up to 21 tonnes for the eActros 600 Lowliner. Production at the Wörth plant is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027.
eActros 600 to embark on global journey
The eActros 600 will also feature in an unusual demonstration of electric long-haul capability. Content creator and professional truck driver Tobias Wagner, known as “Elektrotrucker”, will begin a planned circumnavigation of the globe in a specially modified series-production eActros 600 from IAA Transportation in Hanover.
The journey is expected to cover around 45,000 km across more than 35 countries over approximately one year, with a maximum of 80 charging stops. The truck has been equipped with additional charging and off-road equipment and a custom living unit for the expedition.
NextGenH2 Truck advances hydrogen technology
Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also present the NextGenH2 Truck, its latest fuel cell vehicle for hydrogen-based long-haul transport. The truck uses liquid hydrogen and the cellcentric BZA150 fuel cell, while incorporating updated components from the company’s latest battery-electric trucks, including the ProCabin, new-generation integrated e-axle and Multimedia Cockpit Interactive 2.
The use of liquid hydrogen enables a range of more than 1,000 km on a single filling, combined with comparatively short refuelling times. From the end of 2026, Daimler Truck plans to deploy around 100 NextGenH2 Trucks in real-world customer operations in Germany. Logistics provider Dachser will be the first customer, deploying its first vehicle from December 2026 for long-haul operations from Karlsruhe, followed by two more vehicles by mid-2027.
New safety technologies
Alongside alternative powertrains, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will showcase two new safety features for intersections, an area identified by the company as one of the most common locations for road accidents.
The systems are designed to intervene in critical situations to help prevent collisions with other road users or reduce their consequences. Their development is based on analysis of real-world accident data gathered through Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ accident research programme.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks will also provide an outlook on further developments in diesel powertrain technology, underlining its approach of continuing to offer customers different drivetrain options as the transport industry moves towards lower-emission mobility.
“For us, 130 years of trucks mean responsibility to actively shape the future of transport, moving forward with the right technologies and solutions that create real value in our customers’ day-to-day operations,” said Achim Puchert, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Trucks.