- First eActros 300 sale in Southern Africa.
- Three battery-electric trucks handed to Bakers.
- Two rigids and one City Tractor.
- Electric range launched locally in 2024.
- Bakers recorded significant energy cost savings in trials.
Three battery-electric eActros 300 trucks from Mercedes-Benz Trucks have been handed over to Bakers S.A. Limited by Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), the first sale of the model in Southern Africa. The trio comprises an eActros 300L 4×2 Rigid, an eActros 300L 6×2 Rigid and an eActros 300LS 4×2 City Tractor.
Bakers trial of the eActros 300
DTSA launched its electric truck range in Southern Africa in 2024 and followed it with an extensive customer demonstration and trial programme. The idea was to let fleet operators experience the technology first-hand and judge whether it suits their real-world operations before committing to long-term investment.
Bakers was among the first customers to take part. By running the eActros under its own operating conditions, the company recorded significant energy cost savings. Its chief executive, Abdool Kader Tayob, said the trials have run from 2023 until now, and the purchase builds on the firm’s record of testing new technologies and modernising its fleet.
Bakers and Daimler Truck on electric trucks
Tayob said Bakers will continue providing solutions to clients in closed-loop, final-mile distribution while moving customers to medium-distance routes. “We look forward to upcoming linehaul offerings from Daimler Trucks’ global strategy on alternative fuel,” he said, linking the move to the company’s plans for the 2027 to 2030 horizon.
Olaf Petersen, Vice President: Sales and Marketing at DTSA, described battery-electric trucks as one of the technologies Daimler Truck is investing in. “While adoption in our market has been more gradual than initially anticipated, we are encouraged by the progress we are seeing,” he said. In his view, diesel and broader energy costs will make alternative drivetrains increasingly relevant to transport operators in South Africa and elsewhere.
First electric truck sale for Sandown dealer
The deal also gives Sandown Commercial Vehicles Centurion a first. It becomes the first Mercedes-Benz Truck dealership in South Africa to sell a battery-electric truck. Its chief executive, Mark Croxon, said the milestone reflects the partnership between customer, dealer and manufacturer as they move towards new commercial vehicle technologies.
Daimler Truck Financial Services was also involved in supporting the sale. DTSA says its demonstration programme remains in place, giving other operators the chance to evaluate battery-electric trucks against their own operational requirements before investing.
Supplied by MotorPress (Jacqueline Fourie, Marketing Communication Specialist, Daimler Truck Southern Africa)
This story is based on aggregated news, press release(s) or other sources and was prepared with the help of AI tools, which can make mistakes. Prices, specifications, general information and availability may change, so confirm the details with the manufacturer, other news sources or a dealer.
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