South African logistics operator Bakers S.A. Limited has taken delivery of three Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 battery-electric trucks, marking the first regional sale of the model by Daimler Truck Southern Africa.
The handover follows an extended programme of real-world customer trials, during which Bakers evaluated the trucks under its own operating conditions before committing to the purchase.
The order comprises two rigid trucks — an eActros 300L 4×2 and 6×2 — and an eActros 300LS 4×2 city tractor. The vehicles were supplied through Sandown Commercial Vehicles Centurion.
According to Daimler Truck Southern Africa, Bakers recorded significant energy-cost savings during the trials, although the manufacturer has not disclosed comparative operating-cost figures for the three vehicles.
The procurement represents another step in the gradual commercial adoption of battery-electric trucks in Southern Africa, particularly for distribution operations where routes and charging requirements can be planned.
The Logistics Now Signal
The significance is not simply that electric trucks are entering the market. It is that fleet operators are beginning to translate operational trials into purchasing decisions.
For the wider transport industry, the commercial test remains whether electric trucks can deliver competitive operating costs, reliable utilisation and sufficient range for the freight applications they are expected to serve.