The transition to electric trucks is gathering pace — and Midlands Truck & Van is positioning itself firmly at the forefront.
In the latest episode of The Trucking Interview on Truck & Van TV, Managing Director Michael Carolan and his team outline what it takes to become the first fully eReady Mercedes-Benz Trucks dealership in the UK, and what it means for operators navigating the shift to zero-emission transport.
Carolan’s own journey reflects the dealership’s long-term commitment to the sector. Starting as an apprentice technician in 1999, he has progressed through service and aftersales roles to lead one of the UK’s largest Mercedes-Benz truck dealer groups.
Today, Midlands Truck & Van operates across a wide network, with Birmingham and Dunstable acting as fully eReady hubs capable of handling major electric truck repairs, while other sites provide diagnostics and support. This network-wide approach ensures operators can access assistance wherever they are operating.
A key theme from the discussion is that electric trucks are no longer a future concept — they are already viable in many real-world applications.
Martin Kelly, eConsultant at the dealership, explained that driver perception is changing rapidly. While initial hesitation is common, most drivers quickly adapt and often prefer electric trucks due to their smooth, quiet operation and instant power delivery.
From a performance perspective, vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 are now offering ranges of around 500km, with charging times continuing to improve as higher-capacity infrastructure becomes available.
However, infrastructure remains the biggest challenge. The ability to access reliable, high-speed charging — combined with the cost of electricity — is still the primary factor influencing whether electric trucks are viable for fleet operators.
The dealership plays a crucial role in bridging that gap. Through route analysis, range simulation and infrastructure advice, Midlands Truck & Van supports operators in determining whether electrification will work for their business. In many cases, Kelly estimates that up to 90% of operations could already be electrified under the right conditions.
Total cost of ownership is another key consideration. While diesel trucks continue to improve in efficiency, the gap is narrowing, and in some scenarios electric trucks are already cost-competitive — particularly where operators have access to lower-cost electricity.
Looking ahead, both the dealership and manufacturer representatives point to a clear tipping point, driven by regulation, customer demand and improving infrastructure. Investment in technician training and apprenticeships will also be critical to supporting the next generation of electric vehicles.
For Midlands Truck & Van, becoming eReady is not just about meeting current demand — it’s about preparing for what comes next.
Watch the full interview on our Truck & Van TV channel…
More Information:
Midlands Truck & Van – https://www.midlandstruckvan.com
Mercedes-Benz UK – https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk
Truck & Van TV – https://www.youtube.com/@TruckVanTV
For more like this visit the Trucking Magazine website (https://truckingmag.co.uk), or subscribe to Trucking Magazine here (https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/trucking-magazine).
