Mercedes F1 makes history by transporting cars to Dutch GP with EV power
The Mercedes Formula 1 team has made history by becoming the first outfit to transport its race cars to a Grand Prix weekend in continental Europe using an all-electric lorry.
The milestone was achieved ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, when the team used a zero-emission Mercedes eActros 600 truck to take its two W16 race cars driven by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to the coastal Dutch circuit, 418 miles (573 kilometres) from its base in Brackley.
Earlier this year, Mercedes F1 used a fleet of three eActros 600s to take the W16s and supporting equipment to its home race at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.
The eActros 600 packs a 600kWh battery with a minimum range of 311 miles per charge. Its fast-charging capabilities allow it to be charged from 20% to 80% in 25 minutes thanks to its megawatt charging system (MCS) allowing for charging speeds of up to a megawatt.
Looking ahead, the Mercedes F1 team looks to use its all-electric eActros fleet for the European races during the coming seasons.
Alice Ashpitel, Mercedes F1’s sustainability head said: “As a team, our commitment to sustainability means that we rethink how we move, not just how we race.
“While we are driven by performance on track, we are incredibly proud that our innovations travel beyond the grid. The use of the eActros 600, initially piloted at our home race in July, is another important step in our decarbonisation journey.”
Ash Armstrong, the eConsultancy manager at Daimler Truck UK, added: “We are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with battery electric trucks. Our partnership with the Mercedes F1 team is key in demonstrating that sustainable, long-haul distribution has arrived with our eActros 600.
“We could not be more thrilled that one of our eActros 600 trucks has been used to transport the team’s W16 cars from Brackley to Zandvoort. We are extremely proud to showcase the impressive range and capability of this truck. It just goes to show that the era of electrification is upon us and range anxiety is no longer an issue.”
Since production of the zero-emissions eActros 600 began in November 2024, the truck has proved to be a hit amongst logistics operators. In January this year, Amazon added 140 of them to its UK fleet, while delivery firm, Hive, incorporated a total of 11 Mercedes eHGVs into its all-electric truck line-up.
