On June 20, 2025, VM Milktrans and Sovedo Logistics will make history with the first delivery of the eActros 600 in Belgium. This delivery marks an important milestone in the electrification of Belgian road transport and underlines the sustainable ambitions of the companies led by Michiel Verdonck.
The transport company is the first Belgian customer to effectively deploy six units of this new generation battery-electric truck. The vehicles, ordered in early 2024 through firm partner Van Mossel-Vereenooghe, are the final piece of a thorough electrification strategy in which TCO, range and charging infrastructure go hand in hand.
Designed for long-distance transport, the eActros 600 combines an impressive range of up to 500 km without intermediate loading with a total payload of up to 44 tons. Thanks to the ability to recharge during mandatory driving breaks, haulers such as VM Milktrans and Sovedo Logistics can cover more than 1,000 km per day without loss of efficiency.
In addition to the vehicles themselves, Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers a total package through its eConsulting services, including advice on charging planning, grid connection and depot infrastructure. In this context, the customer was intensively guided by Filip Van Thielen, eAmbassador at Daimler Truck BeLux, who carried out route analyses and practical feasibility studies together with the customer, among other things. Tony Deneckere, Truck Business Advisor at concessionaire Van Mossel-Vereenooghe, also played a key role in translating the eMobility vision into practice: "It is a special moment to be the first in Belgium to be able to deliver the first two Actros e600, and that to a customer like Michiel Verdonck, who has shown confidence and a clear vision of sustainable mobility for years. His early and continuing interest in ecological transport solutions makes this partnership all the more meaningful."
Parallel to the delivery of the six eTrucks, Verdonck is also putting the entire charging infrastructure into operation. Charging is done entirely in-house: most of the electricity required is generated locally through solar panels. This energy is stored in a battery system, so that the eTrucks can be charged at any time at one of two charging points with four chargers each on site with the help of smart control.
This approach increases operational reliability through increased connection capacity and reduces the risk of power outages. The installation of the charging infrastructure was handled by Thoré, which was responsible for both technical implementation and incorporation into the existing site.
The entire project - from vehicles to charging infrastructure - came about thanks to the close cooperation between Daimler Truck BeLux, Van Mossel-Vereenooghe, Daimler Truck Financial Services Belgium, Thoré and Lanoye Technics. Van Mossel-Vereenooghe and Daimler Truck BeLux took care of the delivery of the vehicles. Thoré and Lanoye were responsible for the charging technology and power generation, respectively.
The financing of both the eActros 600 trucks and the entire charging infrastructure, including installation, was made possible by Daimler Truck Financial Services Belgium. Through their eService Leasing formula, DTFS offers a flexible and comprehensive financing solution for the entire eMobility approach.
Both the trucks, batteries and associated charging infrastructure are housed in one transparent leasing package. Thus, the customer receives only one invoice for all eTruck-related services, ensuring simplicity, overview and financial peace of mind during fleet electrification.
The move to electric trucks fits into Michiel Verdonck's broader vision to future-proof his companies and contribute to a more sustainable logistics sector. Thanks to the strong collaboration with customers and partners, charging infrastructure was also provided at various unloading locations, allowing for a smooth integration of the eTrucks.
"We are proud to be the first Belgian transport company to start working with the eActros 600," said Michiel Verdonck. "This step is not an experiment for us, but a conscious choice for the future of our company as well as the environment."