“Fully charged in 45 minutes”
Maximum energy in minimum time: that’s the story for fully electric HGVs such as the new MAN eTruck when they stop to charge. The solution is megawatt charging. As Head of Charging at MAN Truck & Bus, Marcel Hessel is responsible for the series development of charging systems, including the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS).
What is the difference between the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and the conventional Combined Charging System (CCS) rapid chargers?
MARCEL HESSEL: MCS operates at a voltage of up to 1,250 volts and uses its own plug design. However, the key difference is the charging performance. CCS can provide a maximum of 375 kilowatts, while the first phase of MCS can offer 750 to 1,000 kilowatts. In theory, up to 3.75 megawatts would be possible, hence the name of the system. That is likely to be needed under some circumstances at a later date for coaches that travel at higher speeds and have less time to charge. An eTruck also needs to be able to fill its batteries quickly though.
What is the biggest challenge faced by MAN in the development of megawatt charging?
MARCEL HESSEL: The biggest challenge is time. The new eTruck will be hitting the road in 2024/25. By then, we want to have developed a robust, reliable system for our customers. From a technical point of view, the most challenging aspect is charging communication, including interoperability as well as thermal management – energy lost to heat during charging – and standardisation.
Why is standardisation an issue?
MARCEL HESSEL: We need a mandatory, unified standard in the transport sector. We can’t have every truck manufacturer concocting their own version.
Which partners is MAN Truck & Bus working with to develop MCS?
MARCEL HESSEL: One of our key partners is ABB E-Mobility, one of the world’s leading suppliers of charging solutions and a specialist in megawatt charging. Alongside them, as a member of the TRATON GROUP, MAN is part of a joint venture with a number of industry partners. The aim of this collaboration is to create a European high performance charging network with 1,700 green electricity charging stations. We have also been part of the “Charin” task force for a few years now, working on charging stations with almost 70 industrial companies.
I am sure that MAN trucks and buses will be able to use a functioning and reliable megawatt charging system in 2025. “
Text: Christian Jeß
Photos: MAN / Getty Images
