Electric tractor units have been around for years in 4x2 configuration, but now 6x2s are appearing in some manufacturers' line-ups. With UK operators traditionally preferring three-axle artics, will these new battery-powered options tempt more to switch away from diesel?
Until recently, UK operators looking to try an electric 6x2 tractor unit have been out of luck. It's a somewhat familiar story – with British road transport dependent on European truck manufacturers, there's often a wait for three-axle diesel options that better suit our domestic market. It's even been known for right-hand drive models to be missing entirely from product launches.
It's a similar case with electric artics. For example, Iveco doesn't yet offer an electric tractor unit in the UK, even though its battery-powered S-eWay is available as a 4x2 on the Continent. It was launched back in 2023 and saw a range upgrade to 600 km (373 miles) last year. It is "coming soon to the UK in RHD," promises Tyler Heatley, Brand Communications Manager, Iveco UK.
However, the reasons for the 6x2's general delay might make a bit more sense. The switch to battery-powered drivetrains has required truck-makers to invest huge sums into R&D – and with mainland Europe the biggest potential market, 4x2s were the first to roll off the production lines as they are the more favoured spec.
But running alongside this are practical reasons, such as available chassis space for mounting batteries. Two axles provide decent positioning options; but with three axles, there's not much room left for power packs.
Recently though, 6x2 electric artics have started to become available in the UK. At the time of writing, three manufacturers are offering this configuration: Volvo, DAF and Renault Trucks. Well, technically there are four – MAN opened its book for 6x2 artics at the end of last year and have a dozen or so on order at the moment, though this was something of a soft launch (more on this later).
Volvo's e-axle upgrade
Although it launched electric 6x2s last year, Volvo has just updated its electric trucks with boosted operating range. Revealed in April, the new FH Aero Electric can achieve a maximum of 700 km on a single charge, thanks to a compact e-axle that incorporates two electric motors and a six-speed gearbox into the rear axle. This frees up interior chassis space for additional battery packs, thus increasing range.
Says Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Product Marketing at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland:
"We offer FH Aero, FH and FM as 6x2 tag-axle tractor units in the UK. All cabs are the same as the diesel variants – so Globetrotter XL for the FH; and Globetrotter, Sleeper Cab and Day Cab for the FM. They are available with anything from 2-8 battery packs, giving a maximum range of 700 km (435 miles) for the FH, or up to 470 km (292 miles) on our versatile range of FM and FMX.
"Our new powershift gearbox is based on I-Shift and we offer a six-speed version on the long-distance range, and eight-speed on the versatile range. Using the two motors, maximum power is 460 kW (623 bhp) on the long-distance trucks, or 540 kW (731 bhp) on the 470 km models."
Volvo's new range-extended 6x2 artics are obviously targeting long-haul and intercity operators, while the lighter-weight models will better fit regional distribution and construction sectors.
Says Tomlinson:
"We currently have 25 electric 6x2 tractor units at work with hauliers across a variety of operations, including brewery distribution, milk collection and construction. Volvo has been offering 6x2 electric tractor units [without an e-axle] since 2022, although they were not widely sold because of the length required for battery installation."
However, with the new driveline freeing up space inside the chassis side-members, this is no longer a problem.
FH Aero Electric can be spec'd up to 44 tonnes' GCW. Unladen weight for the truck with e-axle and eight battery packs is 12,990 kg, or 11,630 kg for the six-battery e-axle option. It can use the new MCS (Megawatt Charging System) standard, which Volvo reckons can charge eight batteries from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes.
Renault revisions
Renault Trucks has also recently introduced two additions to its electric artic range for the UK and European markets: E-Tech T780 6x2 and E-Tech T585 6x2, both equipped with Sleeper cabs. Maximum quoted ranges are 600 km (373 miles) for the T780, and 460 km (286 miles) for the T585 – both based on a 32-tonne GCW. Wheelbases are 4100 mm and 3600 mm respectively.
Renault's two new 6x2 tractors are also built around an integrated e-axle.
Says Aaron Davison, Sales Engineer, Electric Mobility at Renault Trucks UK & Ireland:
"Electric motors and transmission are positioned at the rear axle, enabling battery capacity to be distributed efficiently along the chassis. Battery capacities stand at 585 kWh for the T585 and 780 kWh for the T780. Both use NCA battery systems covered by an eight-year or one-million-kilometre guarantee.
"To get the most out of stops, both models are compatible with charging stations equipped with the ultra-fast MCS, up to 720 kW. These stations can provide up to 350 km (217 miles) of range in a 45-minute driver's rest break. They can also be charged using the standard CCS, up to 350 kW."
E-Tech T780 is focused on range, while E-Tech T585 majors on payload. Meanwhile, E-Tech T540 4x2 remains dedicated to regional distribution. Consequently, Davison expects the T585 to see the strongest uptake in the UK for the 6x2 models.
Says Davison:
"It offers a stated 23-tonne payload alongside up to 460 km of range and provides 80% of the payload capacity of a comparable 6x2 Renault Trucks diesel. Based on the offering in the market today, we believe this is simply the most productive BEV in the industry in the UK."
Renault Trucks is taking advance orders across the UK and Europe for E-Tech T780 and T585, with production scheduled to start at the end of 2026.
New DAFs
At the end of January, DAF Trucks unveiled two new three-axle electric tractor variants in the form of an FTG 6x2 midlift and FTN 6x2 rear-steer, which will be offered across UK and European markets. They are primarily targeting sectors that operate at, or near to, 44 tonnes' GCW with their current diesel fleet.
Production will begin mid-year, with DAF expecting the first vehicles to be on the road during the third quarter.
Says Phil Moon, DAF's UK Marketing Manager:
"We have a modular approach. For the FTN 6x2 rear-steer tractors we could see either three, four or five batteries of 105 kWh installed. With the maximum five batteries, we'd expect to see a range of up to 500 km (300 miles), but this is obviously very operationally dependant.
"For the FTG 6x2 midlift, we offer three battery packs and a range of around 300 km (180 miles). We'd expect the FTG to be chosen for specific short daily journeys, or shuttle operations.
"DAF uses existing components for its range extension and, because the New Generation DAF is homologated to the latest Masses & Dimensions regulations for elongated cabs, combinations aren't limited by overall length – which effectively enables us to offer the FTN and FTG electric versions. The steered rearmost axle of the FTN ensures the combination meets the turning circle requirements and practical manoeuvrability."
While the new 6x2 option is a welcome addition, Moon reckons most UK hauliers will still ultimately prefer an electric 4x2 artic.
Says Moon:
"We expect most operators will work with the FT 4x2 tractor configuration if they can, with the three-axle tractor variants offering specific appeal to maximum-weight operations. Of course, if weight regulations are amended to allow up to, say, 46 or 48 tonnes on six-axle combinations, then we would expect more uptake."
Derogation duty
Moon makes an interesting point. The UK government has increased GVW allowances of some BEV weight categories to help offset the payload impact of carrying heavy electric motors, e-axles and battery packs. For example, the 18-tonne bracket has been increased to 20 tonnes for zero-emission HGVs, and the 40-tonne bracket has been upped to 42 tonnes – so 4x2 tractor units working in this category enjoy a payload boost.
However, there is currently no such derogation in the UK at 44 tonnes – which means operators looking to take a 6x2 tractor unit for maximum-weight work will have to carefully assess carrying capacity.
Manufacturers and industry bodies including the SMMT and RHA are pushing for ministers to raise the GVW limit of electric trucks in this band from 44 tonnes to 46 tonnes, and axle weight limits on the drive axle from 10.5 tonnes to 12.5 tonnes. This should enable them to carry equivalent loads to diesel vehicles.
In its recently published Payload Loss Survey Report, the RHA argued operators can lose up to 11.8% of payload capacity when running certain electric tractor units, which naturally weakens the appeal of switching to a battery-powered fleet. This lack of incentive from the government is no doubt partially to blame for the muted call for 6x2 artics from domestic operators.
MAN's soft launch
MAN, too, is preparing 6x2 eTGX tractor units for the UK, which can be fitted with either five or six battery packs.
Says Ashlea Awbery, Product & EV Strategy Manager at MAN Truck & Bus UK:
"We have five 6x2s with six battery packs currently on order. Six battery packs is our largest capacity at the moment – we're looking at larger battery capacities on those models in the future, because a higher base train weight requires higher energy usage."
While other manufacturers have launched electric artics with some fanfare, MAN has instead chosen to quietly add them to its offering when it became clear some customers had the best use cases for this configuration.
Says Awbery:
"If a customer rings and says: 'I want to buy an electric truck,' we don't just open the order book and go: 'Right, how many do you want?'. What we try and do is talk to the customer so we can make sure the vehicle actually does what they want it to do – so making sure it's got the right range, making sure they've got charging infrastructure, and most importantly making sure the vehicle fits the use case the customer is asking for.
"As a result, we did a very soft launch for the 6x2, mainly because we didn't see a huge amount of demand from customers. We could take orders for 6x2 tractor units from November/December last year, so we've had them for a little while."
MAN's 6x2 eTGX tractor unit with 3750 mm wheelbase forms part of the truck-maker's Individual range.
Says Awbery:
"Our core standard production is 4x2s, 6x2 rigids, and then other options including a 6x4 rigid and also an 8x4 Tridem rigid. We normally quote a range of somewhere between 400-450 km (249-280 miles) for a vehicle with six battery packs. We try not to fall into the trap of giving people definitive ranges, because things like outside air temperature and terrain are a big factor in what the real ranges will be."
He says MAN is adding its voice to calls for an increased permitted maximum weight for electric HGVs.
Says Awbery:
"Diesel 6x2 tractors weigh about 8.5 tonnes on average. Our electric 6x2 tractor with five battery packs is 11.2 tonnes. With six battery packs, it would be about 12 tonnes. We're hoping we can get 24 tonnes of payload – and if we can add on another two tonnes' allowance, that's going to get us to 26 tonnes. This isn't quite the 28 tonnes we see in diesel, but it's very, very close and certainly much closer than we are today.
"As always, we're waiting for DfT to make a decision. As a manufacturer, we are making sure the 6x2 tractors we do sell are equipped so that if the legislation changes, the vehicles are not at their maximum gross train weight and can be increased up to 46 tonnes."
The long and the short of it
Mercedes-Benz has never been afraid to push the boundaries of HGV development, so it's perhaps surprising it is not yet among those offering an electric 6x2 artic. eActros 600 is Merc's latest 4x2 electric tractor, offering around 500 km (311 miles) of range on a single charge.
Says James Venables, Head of Future Sustainability at Daimler Truck UK:
"However, this is proven to go to up to 700 km (435 miles). Alongside it, eActros 400 provides a more payload-focused option for regional distribution, delivering up to 480 km (298 miles) range."
So, why no 6x2 artic option?
Says Venables:
"Mercedes-Benz Trucks are effectively focusing their latest long-haul tractor units on the most energy-efficient and commercially viable configuration first, with more complex axle options likely to follow as battery energy density and packaging flexibility improve.
"The TCO for an operator is optimised by using e-trucks on lighter weight operations, so the 4x2 currently suits most short- to medium-term needs. While a 6x2 electric tractor is technically possible, it is quite a different proposition from an ICE tractor in terms of dimensions, typically featuring a 4000 mm wheelbase to accommodate the battery packs and a tag axle. This leads to a very large cab and a long tractor/trailer configuration. With this set-up, operator and driver acceptance could be more challenging, which is another significant reason for the current focus on 4x2 electric tractors."
