Rudi's electric adventure

An experienced trucker, a state-of-the-art electric truck and the final stage of a 3,000 kilometre test drive through Europe. Trucker's World member Rudi Schweigert experienced the MAN eTGX first-hand – and was welcomed by Bavarian legend, Giovane Élber.

MAN Polarexpress Rudi

At 63 years old and with over four decades of experience on Europe's roads, Rudi Schweigert has seen and driven practically everything the world of commercial vehicles has to offer. "I've been driving trucks since I was 22", he recalls. "I used to ride along with my father as a child". Since then, his heart has clearly belonged to one marque alone: the one with the lion. From the classic MAN F7 to the modern TGX – Rudi knows them all.

He can't get enough of MAN in his private life either. "I have 50 of them at home", admits Rudi. He has four vintage trucks, 45 MAN tractors and an MAN TGE in his garage. "The youngest lion in my collection", he laughs. But he was about to embark on a very special adventure.

An extraordinary journey

From 20th to 26th March 2023, we sent an MAN eTGX 18.510 on a journey from the Arctic Circle to Munich – 3,000 kilometres through icy cold and changing weather conditions. Once Christina Scheib and André Brockschmidt from BauForum24 had taken their turns behind the wheel, Rudi took his place in the electric truck for the final leg.

His route led from Quickborn via Kassel and Schweinfurt, then via Nuremberg to the Allianz Arena in Munich – the finish line for our electric truck.

"I wasn't in favour of e-vehicles at the beginning – now I see things differently", concedes Rudi. His experience with the MAN eTGX has fundamentally changed his perspective. "Ranges are increasing and charging times are decreasing – what more could you want?" However, he also sees a need for action: "The charging infrastructure definitely needs to be expanded more."

Rudi was particularly impressed by the practicality of the electric truck. "We charged it overnight in Quickborn, which was great. Disconnect the plug in the morning, get in and off you go."

MAN eTGX Rudi Schweigert

Compelling performance

What surprised Rudi the most was the performance of the electric power train: "In the Kassel mountains, we overtook diesel trucks on an incline and were over 10 km/h faster. The other trucks behind me either became smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror or had to pull in again."The eTruck keeps up the speed. He was also impressed by the silence in the cab: "When you're driving, you hear nothing but the wind and the tyres."

The contrast to Rudi's first lion could not be greater with the MAN eTGX: "The only thing that has remained the same since then are the three letters on the radiator grille", he says. "This development is like a quantum leap."

An unforgettable experience

On site at the Bayern Munich arena, he was welcomed by Brazilian player legend Giovane Élber. ‘A great experience - I can only thank you for choosing me,’ said Rudi at the end. "The team was great. I was picked up from the airport and from then on it was all smiles."

His conclusion is clear: "I would recommend my colleagues: There are electric trucks to test - just try them out. Just go for a drive!"

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