Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 succeeds eNordkapp Challenge in Arctic Norway

Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 is the first battery-electric truck to take part in the 8,000 km expedition from Germany to Arctic Norway under demanding weather and road conditions.

The eNordkapp Challenge is an annual, long-distance winter endurance rally for electric vehicles, covering about 8,000 km from Germany to North Cape in Norway and back. The turnaround point is perhaps the northernmost point in Europe reachable by cars. Held since 2018, the expedition is considered as a proving ground for EVs to fare in harsh, icy conditions, complemented by limited charging infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 battery-electric truck
Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 during the eNordkapp Challenge expedition.
(Image Credit: Daimler Trucks)

A host of electric cars have conquered this challenge in the past, but at the 2026 edition of the eNordkapp Challenge, a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 battery-electric truck embarked on this phenomenal tour. Over ten day, the semi-trailer, hauling a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a total GVW of 32.5 metric tons, proved its mettle under demanding conditions including extremely low temperatures of -41 degrees Celsius and icy roads.

The electric truck was provided by Austria-based logistics company VEGA International CarTransport & LogisticTrading GmbH. The vehicle was in stock condition, barring special winter tyres for wade through the snowy region. The successful completion of the expedition is a testimony to the e-truck’s performance and reliability, even in extreme conditions with limited charging facilities.

Previously in 2024, the eActros 600 conquered the Europe’s northernmost point for the first time, as part of “eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024” across 22 countries spanning 15,000 kms. It also completed the 6,500 km “European Testing Tour Winter 2025” through Northern Europe with a GVW of 40 tons. The e-truck was also voted for the coveted title the “International Truck of the Year 2025.

On the technical front, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 boasts a high battery capacity of over 600 kWh. With efficient electric drive axle, the truck achieves a driving range of 500 kms without intermediate charging. With charging breaks, the e-truck can easily cover 1,000 kms per day.

Related: Mercedes-Benz NG service trucks in Dakar Rally: A timeless classic | Nostalgia

The electric truck is designed for a gross combination mass of up to 44 tons. Under EU regulations, the it has a payload of around 22 tons with a standard semi-trailer. To suit the range, payload and comfort requirements of the customers, Mercedes-Benz is offering over 40 variants of the base vehicle.

Dhiyanesh Ravichandran

Editorial consultant (Automotive and Technology), academic, and blogger based in India. He can be reached at wagenclub@gmail.com

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