In calmness lies strength.

The asphalt on the A9 motorway is completely covered in frost. In the distance an orange dot emerges from the grey of the horizon. No engine drone can be heard as the heavy-duty truck moves the massive snow plough quietly and powerfully through the fresh white.

On the A9 near Münchberg, Daimler Truck's eActros is being used as a fully electric winter service vehicle on a motorway – fully equipped with an electric spreader and plough, in real operation.

It is the culmination of a pilot project that sets new standards.

The eActros 400 is operating on the A9 not as a showpiece but as a genuine part of the winter service. As part of the joint pilot project "E-trucks in practical testing" it is providing Autobahn GmbH and Daimler Truck with valuable data — on consumption, handling and suitability for everyday use. The collection of the relevant data is carried out largely automatically via systems installed in the truck. It is a project of equals, with a clear goal: to contribute to an emissions-free fleet without compromising on performance.

And the performance is impressive. "The vehicle has proven itself very well in the winter service," sums up Mathias Graupner, who is overseeing the project for the Competence Center for Road Operations Technology at Autobahn GmbH. The cooperation with Daimler Truck has been consistently positive, and the drivers' enthusiasm speaks for itself: "You could tell the sparkle had returned to their eyes," says the project manager.

The three-axle vehicle has everything a modern winter service vehicle needs: its 4 m wide, electrohydraulically controlled plough made of impact-resistant polyethylene with a steel frame reliably clears the carriageway of snow and ice. The combination clearing bar used in the test includes a flexible neoprene blade for sensitive surfaces with a switchable steel clearing blade for compacted snow.

Behind the cab sits the Icebear VP360e – a fully electric spreader with a 2,640‑l brine capacity and 6 m³ of spreading material. The spreader operates autonomously: plug-and-play capable, powered by its own 48‑V battery system, which ensures short charging times (only 20 minutes to 80%) and thus a high degree of independence. The screw conveyor system also allows precise metering.

With an installed battery capacity of 448 kWh, the eActros achieves a range of up to 400 km. This allows it to complete up to three tours per 8-hour shift. Afterwards it is charged. The electric truck does not falter even in freezing temperatures: "The battery was not the limiting factor," says Mathias Graupner.

The most noticeable difference to a diesel truck, for Mathias Graupner, already begins in the driver's cab. "Even when starting the engine you notice: you don't hear anything anymore," says the project manager, "the vehicle glides rather than — like a diesel — jerking." Thanks to these characteristics, ambient noises and the vehicle's behavior are perceived much more intensely.

And that with the usual performance. "It is available immediately with the first press of the pedal," the Autobahn GmbH staff member makes clear.

The eActros is still part of a pilot project. But the possibilities are promising: for example, the all-electric truck could also be used without any problems in summer, emphasizes Mathias Graupner. With its robust design, long range, electric actuation of all functions and flexibility in the bodywork, it is ideal for municipal applications such as mowing operations or cleaning services. Essentially anywhere that cost-effectiveness, reliability and environmental friendliness are required.