German E-Mobility on the Rise: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Expands with eActros to South America

Why It Matters

The launch accelerates electric heavy‑duty adoption in Latin America, helping Chile meet its 2050 carbon‑neutral goal and signalling market potential for other regional players.

Key Takeaways

• First eActros 600 series production delivered outside Europe
• Chilean route offers 500 km range per charge
• Six additional units slated for delivery soon
• Mercedes provides full electromobility support ecosystem
• Aligns with Chile’s 2050 carbon‑neutral target

Pulse Analysis

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks’ entry into Chile represents a pivotal step in the global shift toward zero‑emission freight. While the eActros 600 has already become a staple across more than fifteen European nations, its South American debut demonstrates the manufacturer’s confidence in the continent’s readiness for high‑capacity electric vehicles. The move dovetails with a broader industry trend where OEMs are seeking growth beyond traditional markets, leveraging Chile’s progressive regulatory environment and its reputation as a renewable‑energy pioneer to showcase the viability of long‑haul electrification.

The eActros 600 combines a 621 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery pack with an electric drive axle, delivering roughly 500 km of range at a gross combination weight of 40 tons. For logistics operators like CCU, this translates into predictable, depot‑centric charging cycles and reduced fuel expenditures, while maintaining payload efficiency. The vehicle’s LFP chemistry offers over 95% usable capacity and a long service life, mitigating concerns about battery degradation on demanding routes. Moreover, Mercedes‑Benz’s partnership with Kaufmann S.A. ensures customers receive end‑to‑end support—from charging infrastructure design to driver training—streamlining the transition to electric fleets.

Chile’s electricity mix, dominated by wind and solar, provides an ideal backdrop for electrified transport, reinforcing the country’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The successful deployment of the eActros 600 could catalyse similar projects across neighboring markets such as Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, where long‑distance haulage is a logistical cornerstone. As regional policymakers tighten emissions standards, early adopters stand to gain competitive advantages, while the broader supply chain benefits from lower operating costs and improved sustainability credentials. Mercedes‑Benz’s strategic rollout thus not only advances its own portfolio but also accelerates the continent’s journey toward a cleaner, more efficient freight ecosystem.

German E-Mobility on the Rise: Mercedes-Benz Trucks Expands with eActros to South America

Leinfelden‑Echterdingen (Germany) · 12 Feb 2026

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is bringing electric mobility in long‑haul transport to South America. In Chile, the first Mercedes‑Benz eActros 600 has now been handed over to the transport company Empresas Cavalieri.

This makes Chile not only the first market in South America, but also the first non‑European series‑production market for the battery‑electric long‑haul model.

With the delivery to Chile, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is further advancing its international strategy for battery‑electric long‑distance transport. The eActros 600 is currently primarily in operation in European markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. At the same time, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks continues to steadily expand its model portfolio at its Wörth site.

First eActros 600 delivered to Chilean beverage transporter

The first Chilean eActros 600 was delivered to Empresas Cavalieri. The vehicle will be used for beverage transport on the Santiago‑Viña del Mar route in the Valparaíso region. Six additional vehicles are scheduled to be delivered to customers in the country in the coming weeks.

The client is Compañía de Cervecerías Unidas (CCU), one of the largest beverage producers in Chile and South America. By deploying the eActros fleet, the company is consistently advancing the electrification of its logistics operations. Thanks to a range of around 500 kilometres per battery charge, the transports can be carried out without intermediate charging outside the depot.

Chile: first market for the eActros in South America

Chile is the first market for the eActros 600 in South America. The sales partner Kaufmann S.A. offers not only the new flagship model but also the eActros 300/400 models and supports customers with a comprehensive electromobility ecosystem – including technical consulting, charging‑infrastructure support, driver training, after‑sales service, and nationwide mobility guarantees.

The country is considered a pioneer in renewable energy and is pursuing ambitious climate targets: carbon neutrality is to be achieved by 2050. Even today, a large share of electricity generation comes from wind and solar energy – a favorable environment for the electrification of heavy‑duty transport.

With its market entry in Chile, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is sending a clear signal for the further internationalisation and decarbonisation of long‑haul transport.

Production in Wörth – continuous expansion of the model range

The eActros 600 has been produced at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Wörth since the end of 2024 and is now in daily operation in more than 15 European countries. Its battery capacity of over 600 kWh, along with a newly developed electric drive axle, enables a range of around 500 kilometres at a gross combination weight of 40 tons. Three lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery packs with a total capacity of 621 kWh ensure a long service life and a usable capacity of over 95 percent.

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is continuously expanding its battery‑electric portfolio: the second generation of the eActros includes more than 40 variants with different cabs, battery sizes, wheelbases, and axle configurations to meet a wide range of transport requirements.

Source: IWR Online, 12 Feb 2026