Electric Truck Began Global Circumnavigation
Driver Tobias Wagner started a year-long expedition across 30 countries in a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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On September 20, 2026, Tobias Wagner departed from Hanover, Germany, on a 45,000-kilometre global journey. The expedition uses a series-production Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric truck to document charging infrastructure viability worldwide.
Why it matters
This mission aims to prove the long-haul capabilities of electric heavy-duty vehicles and identify existing gaps in global electric charging infrastructure. By documenting the performance of the eActros 600 across diverse terrains, the project provides data on the feasibility of replacing diesel trucks with battery-electric alternatives.
The eActros 600 features three 207 kWh battery packs totaling 621 kWh capacity and supports 400 kW CCS fast charging. The vehicle is designed to maintain a 40-tonne gross combination weight throughout the planned 45,000-kilometre journey.
The players
Tobias Wagner
He is the lead driver and participant who has previously completed 200,000 kilometres in electric long-haul transport.
Mercedes-Benz
It is the German automotive manufacturer that produces the eActros 600 electric truck utilized for this journey.
DHL
It is a global logistics company providing maritime transport and support for the electric truck between continents.
The details
The truck carries its own Alpitronic DC charging station to facilitate power connections, while DHL manages international maritime transit for the vehicle between continents. Wagner, who has logged 200,000 kilometres in previous electric long-haul transport, targets fewer than 80 charging stops during the year-long trip.
Timeline
The expedition departed from the IAA Transportation exhibition in Hanover on September 20, 2026.
By September 28, 2026, Wagner had successfully covered 1,000 kilometres of the journey.
The route is scheduled to continue through Central Asia by mid-October 2026.
The entire global expedition is projected to conclude next year.
Roadmap
This journey represents a critical shift as heavy-duty transport begins moving away from traditional internal combustion engines toward long-haul battery-electric architectures. It positions Mercedes-Benz against other manufacturers aiming to standardize electric freight logistics on a global scale.
For fleet operators, this journey provides essential data on charging logistics and maintenance requirements for heavy-duty electric trucks in international environments. It highlights the practical trade-offs regarding charging station power needs versus total trip time for long-distance transport.
The takeaway
The expedition demonstrates that electric long-haul freight requires not only vehicle reliability but also a reliable international network of high-power charging stations. Successfully navigating diverse global regions could establish a new operational standard for zero-emission commercial logistics.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trans.
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