Perth off-grid electric truck fleet: Initial rollout of 20 Mercedes trucks fuelled by 4.4MW solar, 10MWh battery

Australian logistics firm Centurion has launched Australia’s first off-grid electric truck fleet with 20 fully electric Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks as part of a $29 million project powered entirely by solar energy.

Centurion is already operating the trucks across the Perth metropolitan area powered by a 4.4-megawatt rooftop solar installation at its Hazelmere depot.

The fleet includes rigid and prime mover models featuring e-axle technology designed to operate on metropolitan routes with a battery range of up to 300 kilometres.

“The introduction of 20 electric trucks marks a significant milestone in Centurion’s sustainability journey,” said Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci.

“We sought the most advanced zero-emission trucks and were excited to work with Mercedes-Benz on the eActros. Our long-standing relationship with Daimler Truck gave us confidence in their commitment to innovation and leadership.”

Praising Centurion’s leadership in sustainable logistics, Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO Daniel Whitehead said Daimler was “proud to be part of this initiative” and that it was an example of battery-electric logistics being a present-day reality, not a future vision.

The project received support from the federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Future Fuels Program, which provided a $15.8 million investment toward charging equipment, solar energy generation and storage infrastructure at Centurion’s Hazelmere depot.

Centurion’s upgraded facility now includes more than 10 megawatt-hours of battery storage and 15 dual-port chargers to keep the trucks operational.

While zero-emission trucks are not yet used for Centurion’s operations outside metropolitan areas, Mr Cardaci said it was important to introduce emerging technologies for urban routes.

“This project is a significant step in our decarbonisation journey,” he said, confirming plans for broader adoption in the future.

In the coming months, Centurion plans to add 10 more electric trucks to its fleet, helping to cut emissions, promote greener logistics, and demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation.

The project also promises to benefit the people of Perth by improving air quality and reducing noise pollution.

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler Truck has been a leader in electrifying Australia’s transport industry, launching the first electric production truck in 2019.

Its electric portfolio now includes the Fuso eCanter, Mercedes-Benz eEconic, and the eActros, which was recently named International Truck of the Year 2025.