Dr Frederik Zohm, MAN Development Director, pointed out the proven practicality of the eTrucks, which already enable daily ranges of 600 to 800 kilometres – in future even more than 1,000 kilometres. And thanks to the increasing charging capacities of currently a maximum of 750 kilowatts (in future: more than one megawatt), charging times have fallen sharply. Friedrich Baumann, MAN Executive Board Member for Sales and Customer Solutions, said: "First customers have already driven well over 100,000 kilometres with an MAN eTGX in just over a year. This shows: The battery trucks are reliable and practical. And more and more customers see this in the same way: We currently have around 1,000 orders for our eTrucks. The trend is rising." Like many other participants, Baumann also pointed out the importance of the charging infrastructure, which requires further drive through faster approval procedures and the expansion of the electricity grids.
MAN and Volkswagen Group Logistics have jointly invited experts and customers to Munich to discuss the prospects for climate-friendly transport. The conclusion was clear: The future belongs to electrically powered trucks.
Our common goal is to protect the climate and conserve resources. Especially in land transport, the CO₂ emissions of diesel trucks are particularly high in relation to the transport performance. This 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 trade fair landscape – because Volkswagen Group Logistics and MAN Truck & Bus had invited international logistics companies, charging park operators, charging station manufacturers and customers with experience in operating eTrucks to exchange experiences. The motto of the event was: "Working together for sustainable logistics, working together for zero emissions."
Advantages in ecology and economy
It became clear at the beginning that Volkswagen Group Logistics, one of the major 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," emphasised Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics. "Especially in land transport, the CO₂ emissions of diesel trucks are particularly high in relation to the transport performance. This 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 benefits, the economic advantages of eTrucks are also convincing: Thanks to high energy efficiency and savings in, for example, tolls, logistics companies could also benefit from the switch to electrically powered trucks in terms of the total cost of ownership (TCO).
Long-haul transport with eTrucks is already possible in Europe
The electric pioneers among German logistics companies include the forwarding agent Nanno Janssen from Leer, which already has 35 eTrucks in its fleet and also operates its own charging infrastructure. "Long-haul transport with electric trucks is already possible in Europe," says Managing Director Nanno Janssen. "Now it’s all about scaling up the technology." The company itself is continuing to expand its electric fleet: In the coming weeks, the logistics specialist expects the first of 15 MAN eTGX orders to be placed. The forwarding agent shares her experience with the new drive type on YouTube: Almost 80,000 subscribers now follow the "electric trucker" channel, where Nanno Janssen eTrucks can be accompanied on their journey through Europe.
The aim of the meeting at the MAN Truck Forum was to bring logistics companies, commercial vehicle manufacturers, shippers and charging infrastructure providers into dialogue with each other. You could see how well this was achieved all day at the event: An intensive exchange took place at the exhibitors’ stands, but also during spontaneous discussions among the 160 guests. And of course, the practice was not neglected either: At the nearby MAN test site, visitors had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of MAN eTrucks and take a spin. They were able to experience for themselves what a logistics specialist reported during the event: "Drivers are enthusiastic about the eTrucks."
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Text: Christian Buck
Photos: MAN
