In a collaborative effort between Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and ROHR Spezialfahrzeuge, a new Mercedes eEconic has been adapted for use as an electric helicopter refueling vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks reported that initial tests by Airbus Helicopters indicate that the tanker can operate for approximately one week under normal conditions without requiring intermediate charging, thanks to its installed battery capacity.
The tank designed to hold Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) was developed by ROHR Spezialfahrzeuge, with both companies working together to integrate the tank with the eEconic base vehicle. This initiative aims to reduce emissions from the handling fleet while enhancing the working environment for employees.
The Mercedes eEconic is equipped with an electric axle featuring an integrated drive unit and two electric motors that produce a continuous output of 330 kW.
The vehicle’s battery packs can be charged at a power output of up to 160 kW. Notably, the pump located in the tank body utilizes the vehicle’s batteries, allowing a single charging process to support both driving and refueling operations.
This innovative vehicle has a specialized tank body with a capacity of 16,500 liters, and the pump is operated hydraulically through an electric power take-off system (ePTO). As the pump draws from the energy stored in the vehicle’s batteries, it enables efficient energy management for both its operational and refueling functions.
