Electric vehicles are slowly taking over the automotive industry. Whether folks like it or not, EVs are here to stay, and gas-powered vehicles will get the boot. Change can be frightening, but the electric future is very bright. EVs don’t stop at personal vehicles either. Alternative energy sources are coming for the commercial trucking industry as well. Automakers like Mercedes-Benz are racing to create the best eco-friendly commercial truck.

Electric vehicle takeover

Electric vehicles are taking the industry by storm. Hybrid and electric vehicles were once seen as impractical. Today most popular automakers are integrating EVs and hybrids into their lineups. Most major automobile manufacturers have vowed to drastically reduce their carbon emissions by 2040 and only produce eco-friendly vehicles.

Tesla has begun to release more practical and affordable EVs. Automakers such as Honda and Toyota are creating exciting hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Even hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are on the rise.

The majority of the market is still comprised of gas-powered vehicles, but both automakers and consumers realize their days are numbered. As a result, exciting EVs and hybrids are being introduced with the industry’s future on their backs. A lot is riding on the success of innovative vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning.

Mercedes-Benz goes electric

Mercedes-Benz is currently developing multiple alternative fuel options for consumers. The company is working on the Mercedes EQ, a Lithium-ion battery-powered fully electric vehicle class. It is also developing the Mercedes EQ Plug-in Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid+ classes. The Plug-in Hybrid+ class will include performance models.

Mercedes-Benz may be later to the EV race than automakers like Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, but knowing Benz, their EV will be the pinnacle of luxury. Mercedes isn’t just looking to impact the personal vehicle market with their eco-friendly options either. The German luxury vehicle company is ready to disrupt the commercial trucking industry by creating emission-free electric trucks.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros: Commercial truck of the future

Semi-trucks burn diesel fuel and are some of the biggest sources of pollution in the world. Trucking is a huge industry that provides millions of jobs and keeps stores stocked. Many automakers have realized that there is a huge demand for electric commercial trucks now that the automotive industry is making an effort to cut down on emissions. As a result, automakers have been producing fuel cell-powered trucks and battery-powered electric trucks.

According to The Drive, the Mercedes-Benz eActros is a heavy-duty battery-powered electric truck. It has a range of 248 miles. The truck uses two electric motors and promises an emission-free drive, something unprecedented in the trucking industry. The vehicle uses three to four battery packs and will take about an hour to charge 60% of its battery capacity.

Mercedes has gone above and beyond when creating this truck. They even added safety features to reduce accidents, another issue that plagues the trucking industry. The automaker included safety features such as Active Brake Assist with pedestrian detection and MirrorCam. Mercedes-Benz will begin mass-producing the eActros at the largest Mercedes-Benz truck plant in Germany this fall.