MAN's Chief Development Officer, Dr. Frederik Zohm, pointed out the proven practicality of eTrucks, which are already capable of daily ranges of 600 to 800 kilometers – and will be capable of more than 1,000 kilometers in the future. And thanks to increasing charging capacities, currently at a maximum of 750 kilowatts (in the future: more than one megawatt), charging times are falling sharply. Friedrich Baumann, MAN Executive Board Member for Sales and Customer Solutions, reported: "The first customers have already driven well over 100,000 kilometers with an MAN eTGX in just over a year. This shows that battery trucks are reliable and practical. And more and more customers agree: we currently have around 1,000 orders for our eTrucks. And the trend is rising." Like many other participants, Baumann also pointed out the importance of charging infrastructure, which needs further impetus through faster approval procedures and the expansion of power grids.
MAN and Volkswagen Group Logistics invited experts and customers to Munich to discuss the prospects for climate-friendly transport. The conclusion was clear: electric trucks are the future.
Our common goal is to protect the climate and conserve resources. In land transport in particular, the CO₂ emissions of diesel trucks are particularly high in relation to transport performance. That is why we see battery-electric vehicles as the most suitable technology for a more climate-friendly commercial vehicle fleet. “
At the beginning of November, the MAN Truck Forum in Munich was transformed into a small exhibition center, as Volkswagen Group Logistics and MAN Truck & Bus invited international logistics companies, charging station operators, charging point manufacturers, and customers with experience in operating eTrucks to share their experiences. The motto of the event was: "Together for sustainable logistics, together for zero emissions."
Ecological and economic advantages
Right from the start, it was clear that Volkswagen Group Logistics, as one of the largest shippers in Germany, is increasingly relying on battery-electric trucks to become more sustainable. "Our common goal is to protect the climate and conserve resources," emphasized Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics. "In land transport in particular, the CO₂ emissions of diesel trucks are particularly high in relation to transport performance. That is why we see battery-electric vehicles as the most suitable technology for a more climate-friendly commercial vehicle fleet." In addition to the ecological advantages, the economic benefits of eTrucks are also convincing: thanks to high energy efficiency and savings in areas such as tolls, logistics companies could also benefit from switching to electric trucks in terms of total cost of ownership.
Long-distance transport with eTrucks is already possible in Europe today
One of the electric pioneers among German logistics companies is the Nanno Janssen freight forwarding company from Leer, which already has 35 eTrucks in its fleet and also operates its own charging infrastructure. "Long-distance transport with electric trucks is already possible in Europe today," says managing director Nanno Janssen. "Now it's a matter of scaling up the technology." The company itself is continuing to expand its electric fleet: in the coming weeks, the logistics company expects to take delivery of the first of 15 MAN eTGX trucks it has ordered. The freight forwarder shares its experiences with the new drive system on YouTube: almost 80,000 subscribers now follow the "Elektrotrucker" channel, where they can accompany Nanno Janssen eTrucks on their journey through Europe.
Bringing logistics companies, commercial vehicle manufacturers, shippers, and charging infrastructure providers together – that was the goal of the meeting at the MAN Truck Forum. The success of this endeavor was evident throughout the day at the event: intensive discussions took place at the exhibitors' stands, but also in spontaneous conversations among the 160 guests. And, of course, there was no shortage of practical experience: at the nearby MAN test site, visitors had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of MAN eTrucks and take them for a spin. This allowed them to experience for themselves what a logistics specialist reported during the event: "The drivers are enthusiastic about the eTrucks."
- New Image
- New Image
- New Image
Text: Christian Buck
Photos: MAN
