100% driving pleasure with the MAN electic lion
“It’s still great being a truck driver, and e-mobility won’t change that,” says Sonja Drösser. You might even find the driving experience more pleasant than in a diesel. Because an eTruck just glides over the road without any vibration at all. The electric drive pulls extremely fast. It’s completely silent except for a gentle whirr. The headwind is all you’ll hear in the cab as there’s no engine noise to drown it out. “That takes getting used to for some,” says Sonja, laughing. The product manager has been advising MAN customers in the Ruhr and Rhineland on electromobility for the past two years. She’s also presented the eTruck to many drivers such as at events including ADAC Truck Forum. “Everyone who's driven one of our electric trucks will tell you it’s a great experience,” says the 36-year-old. “We’d like to demonstrate how driver-friendly this vehicle is in everyday use to everyone who hasn’t already tried it out.”
Switching from MAN diesel to eTruck was a breeze for Sonja: “The cab interior is exactly the same and super comfy. There are only minor differences in the controls,” she says. Still, the retarder lever takes some getting used to. There’s a menu in the display that shows battery charge and energy consumption. “Not really any different from the diesel gauge in a diesel,” she says.
Range in eTrucks is a topic that Gerrit often brings up with MAN customers. “Routes up to 500 km are unproblematic depending on the haulage job.” Gerrit’s recommendation: “Don’t start with the most challenging run. Pick a distance of 300 to 400 km.” Electric trucks cost more to buy, a hurdle for some transport companies. “But costs of operation, maintenance, and tolls are significantly lower compared to diesel. You can recoup the extra cost in around two to three years if your depot has a low-cost energy tariff for charging,” says the eMobility expert.
Gerrit also has a useful tip for truck drivers: “Don’t rely on Google Maps, use your eTruck’s built-in satnav instead. It’ll tell you in good time where and when you can get a brief recharge en route if you need it.” Gerrit has had a strong connection to trucks and the MAN brand since childhood. His father was a trucker. Gerrit himself drove trucks from his time in the German army – “always MAN.” He finds a lot of motivation in his current job. “I am proud to be working at MAN,” says Gerrit. “The forwarding industry can do a lot to make our world more environmentally friendly with climate-friendly vehicles. That’s important for the future of our children.”
