Blue River publishes the first results of using a 100% electric truck in international transport
Bucharest, 5 August 2026. The study that began on 3 June 2026 is ongoing. So far, the truck has covered 26,123 km carrying cargo only, with an average load of approximately 15 tonnes. Three Germany–Turkey–Germany circuits and two Germany–Hungary–Germany circuits have been completed without technical failures, and the recorded average consumption is 108 kWh/100 km.
Blue River carries out the monitoring within its ongoing commercial activity, without dedicated routes or pre-set test conditions. The data comes from real runs, in which the vehicle operates under the same conditions as the rest of the fleet: delivery deadlines, mandatory rest periods, customs formalities and infrastructure that differs from one country to another.
A full Germany–Turkey–Germany circuit totals approximately 6,650 km. Three such circuits have been completed so far, with the fourth underway, alongside two Germany–Hungary–Germany circuits.
The duration of the runs varied depending on operational conditions. Legal rest periods, customs formalities and border waiting times influenced the delivery schedule — aspects that affect electric and conventional vehicles equally. For this reason, Blue River analyses performance through consumption, availability and operational organisation, not through the daily average of kilometres.
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 used in the project has a usable battery capacity of 600 kWh. The average consumption recorded over the course of the study is 108 kWh/100 km.
One of the most significant results so far was achieved on a leg between Hungary and Austria, where the truck covered approximately 650 km. Favourable climate, topography and traffic conditions contributed to this performance. Relating the 600 kWh usable capacity to the distance covered corresponds to a value of approximately 92 kWh/100 km, highlighting the efficiency differences that can arise between various stages of an international route. The result shows the influence that terrain, traffic, weather, load and operating mode can have on the consumption and range of an electric truck.
A Germany–Turkey–Germany circuit requires, on average, around 17 charging sessions — full and partial — planned according to the route and the available infrastructure.
On the analysed routes there were limitations in the charging infrastructure, managed by planning the stages and choosing refuelling points in advance. The experience gained gives the company relevant data for assessing and expanding the use of electric transport on other international routes.
"In 2022 we introduced the first 100% electric truck into the Blue River fleet, and the experience gained in regional operations allowed us to extend its use to international transport. The value of this project lies in the data we collect, which helps us understand how these operations can be planned efficiently in practice and how we prepare for the future demands of the market."
Relative to the 26,123 km covered and an average load of 15 tonnes, using the electric truck is equivalent to avoiding approximately 20.5 tonnes of CO₂ in the usage phase, compared with the European average value used for heavy vehicles. The estimate does not include emissions associated with electricity generation or vehicle manufacturing.
The study continues, and upon completion of the fourth Germany–Turkey–Germany circuit the total mileage is estimated to reach approximately 29,398 km. The final analysis will bring together data on consumption, range, infrastructure, charging organisation and the operational experience gained.
Blue River study in figures
- Study start: 3 June 2026
- Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz eActros 600
- Propulsion: 100% electric
- Usable battery capacity: 600 kWh
- Distance covered: 26,123 km
- Kilometres without cargo: 0
- Average load: approximately 15 tonnes
- Average consumption: 108 kWh/100 km
- Maximum range achieved: approximately 650 km
- 3 Germany–Turkey–Germany circuits completed
- 2 Germany–Hungary–Germany circuits completed
- Average charges: approximately 17/Germany–Turkey–Germany circuit
- Charging 10–100%: approximately 1 h 45 min at 400 kW
- Estimated emissions avoided: approximately 20.5 tonnes CO₂
About Blue River
Blue River is a Romanian transport and logistics company with nearly 500 employees and a fleet of approximately 270 Euro 6E, electric and CNG trucks. The company operates domestic and international transport services and has used electric trucks in regional commercial operations since 2022, currently extending that experience to international transport.
Blue River. THE RIGHT WAY