eActros from Mercedes Used by Inapa in Paper Wholesale

The paper wholesaler Inapa begins testing a battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros. The 25-ton eActros supplies printing companies in the Karlsruhe area with paper products. Series production of the eActros is planned to start in 2021 at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein.

(Stuttgart/Karlsruhe) The battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros is starting another practical test: at Inapa Germany in Ettlingen. The leading paper wholesale company is using the heavy electric truck for the distribution of paper to printing companies as piece goods – i.e., palletized shipments, in the Karlsruhe area. The vehicle, which offers a range of around 200 kilometers, covers a distance of between 150 and 200 kilometers daily and is then charged overnight at Inapa’s yard in Ettlingen.

Rico Claassen, Key Account Management at Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “Since 2018, we have been gathering important insights with the prototype of the eActros for the planned start of series production of the battery-electric truck in 2021. With this important milestone in mind, we are testing the eActros daily in various applications together with our forward-looking customers as part of the ‘Innovation Fleet’. We are very pleased that Inapa is now also among the customers contributing their experiences and feedback to the series maturity of the battery-electric eActros.”

Sustainability in Paper Wholesale

Frank Weithase, Chief Operating Officer at Inapa Deutschland GmbH: “In the trade of paper and paper products, environmental protection and sustainability are among our top priorities. As a leading paper wholesale company, we bear a high responsibility far beyond the boundaries of our immediate economic activities in the field of paper solutions. This naturally includes our transport logistics, which is responsible for the distribution of our products. This is exactly where the locally emission-free eActros contributes to our environmental strategy. We are looking forward to the upcoming practical deployment.”

Numerous Insights Gained from the First Phase

Since 2020, the eActros has been in the second phase of its practical testing as part of the so-called ‘Innovation Fleet’. Among the numerous insights gained from the practical tests is that the eActros’s range of around 200 kilometers has proven to be absolutely realistic – regardless of load, route profile, or topography. The eActros matches a conventional diesel truck in terms of availability and performance in urban traffic, highway, or long-distance journeys. The cooling system for the cargo, as well as the air conditioning – both electrically operated – have functioned without limitations in extreme heat as well as in winter conditions. Drivers are very pleased with the continuous availability of torque across the entire speed range. They also report particularly on the quiet driving experience and a pleasant, calm driving feel. Additionally, with anticipatory driving through recuperation, i.e., engine braking, electrical energy can be recovered. It is then rarely necessary to apply the brake pedal.

www.mercedes-benz-trucks.com    www.inapa.de