Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the eActros 600 gets the Guinness World Record for the longest route in reverse

Yesterday, June 4, a Mercedes eActros 600 electric truck entered the Gunness World Record for the longest distance driven in reverse in an articulated truck. Marco Hellgreve, the pilot who drove the electric truck (here’s our post about the presentation of the attempt) managed to travel backwards 124.7 kilometers without interruption, thus beating the previous record in truck reversing established in 2020 in the USA (89 kilometers).

The record-breaking trip in reverse was held on Motorsport Arena Oschersleben racetrack in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; it took around 6 hours and 22 minutes, which translates into an average speed of 20 kilometers per hour. Independently of the world record, Mercedes-Benz Trucks intends to travel another 30 kilometers or so on public roads with the eActros 600 in reverse. The finishing line is at the Daimler Truck Global Parts Center in Halberstadt, also in Saxony-Anhalt. 

The eActros 600 in the Guinness World Record for the longest trip in reverse

We had the opportunity to chat with Marco Hellgreve at the end of the record attempt during a webcall organized for journalists all over Europe. He said the main difference between a diesel truck and an electric truck for the record-breaking attempt was the extremely low noise he could hear during the trip. In terms of driveability the feeling was good, as well. Furthermore, Hellgreve pointed out the use of the mirrorcams instead of conventional mirrors. This was a key factor in a reverse trip like the one he faced yesterday.

“I’m incredibly proud to have brought back the record to Germany together with Mercedes-Benz Trucks – especially as it was a world first with an all-electric drive”, said Marco Hellgreve, an officer in the German Armed Forces and a truck enthusiast. “By doing so, we have sent out a powerful message for the future of alternative drives. I am convinced that we have also drawn broad attention to the topics of road safety and driver image that are particularly important to me as an examiner of learner truck drivers, who tend to be younger. There have been many people from every area of society, including numerous experienced and learner truck drivers, who have spoken to me about the activity and gave me very positive feedback.”

“The very long trip with a total of 476 bends demanded an enormous effort – for this reason alone, it was a great help that the eActros 600 and its assistance systems make driving so much easier. My thanks go out to Mercedes-Benz Trucks for the excellent support which made the new record possible in the first place” Hellgrewe added.