31 Jan 2025
The next big step towards the electrification of long-haul trucking: DB Schenker puts the first ten of a total of 150 MAN eTrucks into service.
One of the world’s leading logistics service providers and the market leader in European land transport is demonstrating what the future of long-haul transport will look like: At the end of January, DB Schenker took delivery of ten MAN eTGX Ultra Low Liners directly from the MAN Truck & Bus factory in Munich to join its fleet. These eco-friendly tractor units were specially developed to meet high loading volume requirements and enable the use of mega-trailers with an internal height of three metres. These trailers have been in use in automotive logistics for many years, as well as in other areas with high loading space requirements. The high loading volume alone is a big step towards making transportation more environmentally friendly. Driven by an electric lion, the carbon emissions are significantly lower.
“As a pioneer in the transition to zero-emission drives, DB Schenker will continue to invest in sustainable solutions in the future,” said Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Schenker in Europe. “We are delighted to be the first customer to have the opportunity to put a fleet of ten MAN eTGXs into operation. Some of the vehicles will be used in two-shift operation for daily scheduled services in our cargo network, such as for daily round trips between our sites in Dortmund and Hanover. Others will be dedicated to use for our customers in the automotive and consumer sectors.”
The Ultra Low Liner eTruck MAN eTGX is a pioneer in its class: With a semitrailer height of just 950 mm – and a very short wheelbase of 3.75 m and yet maximum battery capacity – it delivers a range of around 500 km. Thanks to its modular battery concept with the option of four, five or six battery packs and power levels of 449 and 544 hp, it can be optimally adapted to any transport task. Furthermore, in addition to the standard CCS charging technology (up to 375 kW), it is also available with the new MCS standard with up to one megawatt of charging capacity.
The first ten electric trucks for DB Schenker are waiting to be deployed.
The contracts have been signed: Johannes Kramer, Director International Key Accounts at MAN Truck & Bus, Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Schenker in Europe, Marc Pühler (Senior Vice President System Operations, DB Schenker Europe) and Friedrich Baumann, Board Member for Sales and Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus (from left to right).
“We are very proud that the first ten MAN eTGXs are now being used daily for DB Schenker’s logistics services,” said Friedrich Baumann, Board Member for Sales & Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus. “The sustainable decarbonisation of goods transport is our common objective. The new MAN eTruck is not only emission-free locally, but also meets the diverse requirements of our customers. Volume transport is one example. No other series-produced electric tractor unit on the market offers such a short wheelbase with maximum battery capacity for trailers with an internal height of three metres.”
By 2026, 100 of these tractor units are to be added to the fleet, as agreed by DB Schenker and MAN in a letter of intent from 2023. During the handover of the first ten MAN eTGXs, the two companies also signed a further letter of intent regarding the delivery of 50 MAN eTGLs. This fully electric 12-tonne truck for urban goods transport will be available to order from April 2025 and will supplement DB Schenker’s electric fleet for distribution logistics. With a range of up to 235 km, fast charging in around 30 minutes and a payload of up to 6,600 kg, it offers the ideal prerequisites for quiet and zero-emissions local transport in urban goods logistics. “The fact that DB Schenker is also backing MAN for electric distribution transport with the eTGL confirms that our eTruck portfolio offers the right solution for every area of transportation,” said Baumann.
The first ten MAN eTGXs are being deployed at DB Schenker by the TIP Group, a leading independent commercial vehicle rental company and service provider for the transport and logistics industry. Immediately after the ceremonial handover of the vehicles by Baumann and Bonjean, the drivers themselves transferred their new trucks to the respective DB Schenker sites throughout Germany. From now on, the ten electric lions can prove each day just how eco-friendly the future of long-haul transport can be.
The contractual partners in front of a MAN eTGL. In addition to the 100 eTGXs, DB Schenker has signed a letter of intent to take over 50 MAN eTGLs.
Text: Christian Buck
Photos: MAN