MANNHEIM, Germany—Mercedes-Benz Trucks has begun assembling a key component of its new eActros 600 long-haul truck at its factory here. The “front box” is a complex module that contains several control units, high-voltage components and an electric air compressor. It’s located in the space previously occupied by an internal combustion engine.
In contrast to a traditional diesel engine, the front box doesn’t have a specific drive function, but contains a large number of components that are essential for the truck to operate. In total, there are more than 1,000 individual parts.