Dutch logistics firm Dobbe Transport has added a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 to its fleet for general cargo transport across the Benelux region, marking a further step in its transition toward zero-emission operations.
The family-owned company, based in Roelofarendsveen near Amsterdam, operates more than 100 trucks and tractor units. The newly deployed eActros 600 joins an earlier-generation Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 already in service, reflecting a gradual expansion of its electric vehicle portfolio.
Configured as a 6×2 flatbed with a steered tag axle, the eActros 600 is expected to cover around 125,000 kilometres per year in CO₂e-free operation. With this setup, the company is aiming to maximise operational flexibility and payload capacity in daily transport. The additional factory-installed axle increases permissible axle load and improves weight distribution, enabling more efficient transport of heavier loads.
The vehicle is also equipped with a double coupling device, allowing it to operate with different trailer types, including central-axle trailers, drawbar trailers and double-deck trailers. This flexibility is seen as a key advantage for long-distance logistics operations using battery-electric trucks.
According to Daimler Truck, the eActros 600 offers a range of around 500 kilometres on a single charge, allowing dispatchers to plan routes across the Benelux region with a level of flexibility comparable to diesel vehicles. Dobbe Transport is also evaluating the use of electric trucks on international routes to France and Germany as charging infrastructure expands.
Managing Director Eric Dobbe said regulatory developments are a key factor behind the investment. “With this investment, we are responding to road tolls and, in the future, to the European emissions trading system for road transport that will apply from 2027. Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers a mature concept with this vehicle, which has proven to be reliable, and in which we place great trust,” he said.
“This enables us to meet the requirements of expanding zero-emission zones while supporting our customers in reducing their CO₂e footprint. Another decisive factor is having access to a knowledgeable contact person at any time through the international dealer network of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. This is an important driver of acceptance in the market,” he added.
Dobbe also pointed to growing confidence in electrification for cross-border logistics. “Given the growing charging infrastructure, I expect rapid adoption in international transport,” he said.
The company is adapting its operations and workforce alongside the transition. Drivers with an affinity for electromobility are being assigned to electric trucks, reflecting changes in daily workflows. “They experience the advantages firsthand: the eActros 600 drives quietly and with low vibration, accelerates powerfully thanks to its instantly available torque, and offers a high level of comfort with its spacious BigSpace cab. These qualities are being appreciated by more and more drivers,” Dobbe said.
Dobbe Transport has previously explored electrification through retrofit solutions. Three years ago, it converted a diesel Mercedes-Benz Atego into an electric vehicle in partnership with GINAF Trucks. The retrofitted truck, equipped with a 200 kWh battery and a 250 kW electric motor, is used in urban operations with a range of around 225 kilometres.
To support its growing electric fleet, the company is building dedicated charging infrastructure at its depot. A charging area with a transformer station is expected to become operational in the coming months, initially allowing up to eight electric trucks to charge simultaneously, with plans to expand to 16 charging points. The company is also considering installing a photovoltaic system to help reduce energy costs.