Zero Emission

We get rid of the exhaust pipe

Electric and clean: E-vehicles are claiming the streets. This applies equally to private cars as it does to passenger and distribution transport. More and more companies are converting their fleets to eBuses, eTrucks and eVans. Because electric drives are paying off in the long term due to their particular eco-friendliness and economic efficiency. We provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges of e-mobility.

Our stories on the topic of zero emission

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“It’s the start of something big”

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Vision 2030: How is zero emission changing road traffic?

The MAN eTruck driving through a green landscape

The future scenario

eTrucks and eVans hum cleanly and quietly through the streets to deliver goods. Half of public transport fleets are already deploying electric buses. Electric drives in company vehicles have long been considered good etiquette. Millions of private households have converted to e-cars. There is a comprehensive network of charging stations stretching across Europe to provide low-priced green electricity. This scenario is the objective set by European climate and transport policy for 2030. The transport transition is being advanced by political institutions, commercial enterprises and also by private vehicle users. E-mobility plays a key role in the general changeover to clean transport. Unlike other alternative drive systems, such as natural gas engines that still emit a certain amount of harmful exhaust gases, commercial e-vehicles and battery-powered passenger cars emit absolutely no local emissions.

A Lion’s City 10 E eBus driving through city streets

EU priorities

Authorities within the European Union are prioritising e-mobility. They are granting subsidies to support the acquisition of e-vehicles and the installation of charging infrastructures. Charges are in contrast being applied to CO₂ emissions. These impositions serve what is known as the two-degree target of international climate policy: The aim is to limit global warming that is harmful to the environment – in particular by reducing exhaust gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Germany, for example, sets economic quotas for eco-friendly means of transport: eTrucks are expected to account for one-third of journeys in the transport sector by 2030.

By then, 50 per cent of transport companies’ urban fleets should consist of eBuses.

Smooth change

The European Parliament adopted the Clean Vehicles Directive to issue similar requirements regarding the acquisition of heavy commercial vehicles by public companies. They apply to passenger transport, waste disposal, postal services and other transport services. Commercial vehicle manufacturers are increasingly intensifying their efforts towards e-mobility and environmental protection. Electrically-powered trucks and buses currently feature ranges of 200 to 300 kilometres per battery charge. They can therefore already be used without any problems in urban delivery traffic and local public transport. Increasing numbers of transport companies and carriers are therefore switching to eco-friendly and efficient e-mobility. Vision 2030 is becoming a reality.

E-mobility – what are the advantages?

Emission-free, quiet, sustainable: Commercial e-vehicles have the edge in terms of eco-friendliness and energy efficiency.

Fewer exhaust gases

Electric cars and commercial e-vehicles emit no local emissions, so they contribute to improvements in air quality. This benefits both the environment and human health.

Lower costs

The acquisition costs for eTrucks, eBuses and e-cars are admittedly higher than for traditional vehicles. They are cheaper to run, however, because electricity is cheaper than fossil fuels. The investment therefore pays off in the long term.

Greater efficiency

Over half the energy generated in combustion engines is lost as heat. Electric drives, on the other hand, convert around 90 per cent of the supplied energy into motion. Moreover, electric vehicles can recover energy through recuperation.

Less noise

eTrucks, eBuses and e-cars drive almost silently. Traffic noise will be substantially reduced by e-mobility. This is a plus for our quality of life. E-vehicles do nevertheless produce artificial noises to ensure road safety.

Fewer repairs

Battery-powered vehicles require less maintenance and are less prone to breakdowns than petrol or diesel. They have fewer wear parts, such as timing belts or V-belts, and oil and filter changes are unnecessary. So they are simpler and cheaper to run.