Die WAHRHEIT über 800V auf der Langstrecke: E-LKW Trip nach Georgien

Summary

The presenter drives a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, equipped with a 621 kWh LFP battery and a Bliss Mobil living cabin, from Turkey into Georgia. The journey tests the practicality of long-distance electric-truck travel across regions with varying charging infrastructure and vehicle standards.

Key Technical Findings

• Range and efficiency: After travelling more than 800 km from Cappadocia to Turkey’s Black Sea coast, the truck still showed 28% charge. After roughly 1,000 km across varied terrain, it showed about 8% charge and an indicated range of 75 km. The presenter notes that elevation changes strongly affect consumption, and that some energy used on climbs can be recovered later.
• Manual gear selection: On a coastal road, the presenter compares the truck’s displayed power demand in third and fourth gear at the same speed. In this test, third gear appears to use slightly less power. He says manual gear selection can help optimize efficiency, while automatic mode is more convenient in town.
• Checking charger voltage: In Batumi, the presenter checks a DC charger’s rating plate before charging. It lists an output range of 150–1,000 V DC, which he considers suitable for the truck’s high-voltage battery system. The video emphasizes checking a charger’s specifications rather than relying only on its power rating.
• Charging with GBT: The station offers both CCS2 and China’s GBT connector. Using an adapter made by EV Nikolaus, the eActros successfully charges via GBT—an important test for markets where CCS2 is less common. The truck’s voltage can reach about 850 V. The presenter notes that the adapter and software required prior testing and updates, and cautions that this setup is not generally recommended.
• Charging speed and cost: The station is rated at 120 kW, while the app later shows about 93 kW during charging. The presenter estimates that a full charge at roughly 100 kW would take around six hours. He reports paying about €123 for a charge amount he associates with travelling approximately 1,000 km.
• Cabin power: The Bliss cabin can receive power from the truck’s 24 V system through a DC-DC converter. During the demonstration, about 465 W flows into the cabin battery. The setup is described as limited to roughly 600 W while driving. Solar power normally helps keep the cabin self-sufficient but was insufficient on this occasion.
• Air-compressor warning: A warning indicates low oil in the electric air compressor, which supplies compressed air for the suspension and brakes. The presenter says the system continues operating, but plans to top up the oil, monitor the leak, and arrange a proper repair. He notes that regenerative braking and limited suspension adjustment reduce air consumption compared with frequent conventional braking and suspension use.

Practical Guidance and Observations

Before entering Georgia, the presenter prepares offline maps and translation apps and arranges local liability insurance. He also deals with Turkish toll payments, which prove confusing at the post office and border.

At the charging station, he checks the rating plate, sets up payment in the operator’s app, and tests charging with a small initial purchase before charging more.

A brief look at Georgia’s EV scene reveals CCS2 and GBT chargers, imported EVs, and a dedicated Tesla repair shop. The presenter also observes that charger access and payment are increasingly app- and card-based.

The video includes a tour of daily life in the Bliss cabin, including its drop-down bed, shopping, food preparation, and water and grey-water management. The journey continues toward Tbilisi and Azerbaijan. The presenter plans charging stops around later route constraints rather than using the remaining battery simply to reach the lowest possible state of charge.

Reviews, Demonstrations, and Tutorials

1. Efficiency demonstration: A short on-road comparison of third versus fourth gear at the same speed.
2. Charger compatibility check: Reading a DC charger’s voltage range and checking its connector options.
3. GBT adapter charging test: A live demonstration of the eActros charging through a GBT adapter, including app setup and payment.
4. Bliss cabin power demonstration: Showing the cabin’s DC-DC charging and approximate power flow.
5. Vehicle-warning explanation: Discussing the low-oil air-compressor alert and planned troubleshooting steps.

Main Speakers and Sources

• Primary speaker: The Elektrotrucker presenter, who narrates the trip and demonstrations.
• Other people featured or referenced: Martin, a German expatriate in Georgia; Saba, who runs a Tesla repair workshop; a local Taycan owner; and unnamed colleagues at Daimler Truck and EV Nikolaus, whose technical support is discussed.