Mercedes eActros 600 first electric truck to conquer John O’Groats to Land’s End

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has become the first to drive an electric HGV from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in England, in just over 24 hours.

A Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 set off from John O’Groats on Wednesday 3rd December and arrived at Land’s End a day later, becoming the first electric truck to successfully achieve this momentous drive.

With only three recharging stops – at Sterling, Sandbach and Exeter – during the 1,378km (854 miles) journey, this achievement demonstrates not only the long-distance capability, efficiency and technology of the new eActros 600, but also the growing potential for sustainable, fully-electric heavy-duty transport.

With an average efficiency of 1.175 km/kWh, the truck achieved a range of 510 km on a single charge. The 39.5 tonne eActros 600 was powered exclusively by fully renewable electricity and saved 1.22 kg of CO₂ per mile driven – amounting to a total reduction of 1,042 kg.

“From the moment we left John O’Groats, the eActros 600 delivered steady power, smooth handling and the confidence we needed for a challenge like this. We covered every kilometre knowing we were not just testing a truck, we were helping demonstrate what the future of transport can look like,” said Ali Colquhoun, who drove the first leg of the journey.

Available in Ireland now, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is the International Truck of the Year 2025 and has just also been crowned Greenfleet Vehicle of the Year 2025.

It offers a class-leading range of more than 500km per full charge while rapid charging using the megawatt charging system (MCS) allows the truck’s 600kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery to go from 20 to 80 per cent charge in just 25 minutes.