Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team adopts electric truck transport

Mercedes F1 transports W16 cars to Dutch GP with eActros 600 electric truck, marking first use of fully electric logistics in Formula 1 race operations

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has taken a decisive step towards a more sustainable future for Formula One. For the first time in the sport’s history, the team’s race cars were transported to a European Grand Prix not by diesel trucks, but by a fully electric Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros 600. The journey led from Brackley to Zandvoort, a 673 km route to one of the most environmentally conscious races on the calendar.

A similar solution had already been piloted at the British Grand Prix, but this time it was put to use for a full race weekend. By employing an electric truck, the team was able to cut lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to a conventional diesel counterpart.

The eActros 600 itself has become a showcase of Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz’s ambitions in long-haul electrification. Its 621 kWh battery delivers a range of up to 500 km, while megawatt charging technology allows the truck to recover from 20% to 80% charge in just 25 minutes. With a gross weight of up to 44 tonnes and a payload capacity of around 22 tonnes, it competes directly with traditional heavy-duty trucks. Test data has shown an energy consumption of around 103–122 kWh per 100 km, with regenerative braking accounting for roughly a quarter of the recovered energy.

The economic picture is equally important. Analyses have demonstrated that with an annual mileage of over 120,000 km, the eActros can outperform diesel trucks on running costs thanks to lower energy expenses, reduced maintenance, and incentives such as toll exemptions. German studies suggest that at 80,000 km per year, the total cost of ownership is already lower for the electric version than for the diesel Actros.

For the team, this project is part of a broader decarbonisation programme. Since 2022, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS has used HVO100 biofuel in its trucks and generators. In 2024, the coverage reached 98%, saving more than 500 tonnes of CO₂. Aviation has also been targeted: through investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates, the team reduced 19,183 tonnes of CO₂ between 2022 and 2024.

Unlike rivals who continue to focus on biofuels and aviation projects, Mercedes has become the first F1 team to put electric trucks into real championship logistics. Meanwhile, the manufacturer itself has already secured thousands of orders for the eActros 600, including a landmark deal with Amazon for 200 units, underlining the truck’s commercial relevance and long-term potential.

For Formula One, Mercedes’ move is more than a logistical milestone; it is a statement of direction. The FIA’s sustainability strategy aims for Net Zero by 2030, and the presence of the eActros in the paddock highlights that the “race for sustainability” runs just as fast as the competition on track.