Development engineers from Mercedes‑Benz Trucks tested the Megawatt Charging System on a long‑distance test drive with two MCS‑compatible eActros 600 electric trucks.

The aim was to ensure optimal compatibility between the vehicle and megawatt charging stations from various manufacturers, as well as to gain insights into real‑world usability—including under winter conditions—ranging from the charging curve and average charging power to the overall performance of the MCS infrastructure.

The test run covered a route of approximately 2,400 kilometers, from the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, through the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, to Linköping in southern Sweden. The vehicles were recharged at both public and private MCS charging sites specifically designed for trucks.

The MCS standard enables charging at power levels of up to 1,000 kW. Global standards organization CharIN is working to promote uniform interfaces between charging stations and electric trucks, and to facilitate the development of a pan‑European fast‑charging network for heavy‑duty commercial vehicles.

“The key challenges in megawatt charging lie in harmonizing the vehicle with various charging systems,” said Peter Ziegler, Head of E Charging Components, Mercedes Benz Trucks. “At the same time, the extreme charging currents in MCS charging place high demands on thermal management. The current test run provides an important opportunity to evaluate these aspects under real-world operating conditions.”

Source: Daimler Truck