Switzerland: through Zurich in the eActros

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Convinced.

Migros Zürich is testing a three-axle eActros in heavy distribution transport for Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Hans-Ruedi Öggerli steers it through the day.


Zurich, Kreuzplatz. Hans-Ruedi Öggerli lets his truck roll backwards onto the covered ramp of the Migros branch. He gets out, lowers the lifting platform and opens the gull-wing doors of the refrigerated box.

In contrast to the trailer on the ramp next door, only some discreet lettering on Hans-Ruedi’s truck refers to the Migros company. The 60-year-old drives one of the first eActros in Switzerland.

The battery-powered truck is to be tested in tough practical use for Mercedes-Benz Trucks. 


“I never thought I would say this, but now I prefer to drive the electric truck.”

– Hans-Ruedi Öggerli



Experienced tester.

Hans-Ruedi has been working for Migros for 44 years. “It’s more of a family than an employer,” he says. He started out as a driver in a sales bus with over 1,000 items from which customers could choose at the time. “I was the driver, orderer and shelf stocker. I was also a good salesperson,” he says, reminiscing about what was a great time for him. It was also great because at that time he did his rounds together with his wife. After 20 years, in 1996, it was the end of that road.

He got his driving licence for road trains and then drove articulated trucks for 19 years. He completed up to 20 trips per day. “From a driving standpoint alone, the articulated truck is a greater challenge.” Just like getting up early: “I started at 3.45 a.m. That meant I had to go to bed at 8.30 p.m. every night.” For a football fan, that meant making a sacrifice: “You could forget about Champion’s League matches.” 


A lot changed for Hans-Ruedi with the eActros.

Since Hans-Ruedi has been driving the eActros, he only starts between 5.30 and 6 a.m. He has fewer trips to make too.

This is because Migros uses the battery-powered truck to supply smaller inner-city branches.

 



At first, the experienced trucker was sceptical about the eActros, but that’s over now. “I never thought I would say this, but now I prefer to drive the electric truck. The power delivery and acceleration, the assistance systems – simply great.”

On his new rounds, he now has to help out with unloading himself. But there is a real advantage for Hans-Ruedi: “I can watch football again in the evening now and again!”


Fotos: Hans Müller

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