Positive energy

As one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, DB Schenker is putting its trust in fully electric transport trucks and is strengthening and enhancing its fleet with 100 MAN eTGX and 50 MAN eTGL trucks. The first ten MAN eTGX Ultra Low Liners were delivered in Munich last week.

You could sense the buzz of excitement on the MAN Truck Forum forecourt on 29 January. A delegation, which included ten truck drivers, from the logistics service provider DB Schenker was welcomed late morning. The truck drivers took delivery of their MAN eTGX Ultra Low Liners there and then on the forecourt and transfer them to their respective DB Schenker locations.

Friedrich Baumann, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus, and MAN Director Stefan Schall were also present at the ceremonial handover. Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Board Member Schenker in Europe, was not there alone – he was joined by ten curious and open-minded drivers.

The ten electric trucks parked side by side conjured up an image that still feels out of the ordinary. These trucks are the first of 150 MAN eTrucks that DB Schenker is putting its faith in to consistently expand and develop its climate-friendly logistics services. The MAN eTGX Ultra semitrailer tractors have been specially developed for high loading volume requirements and mega trailers with an interior height of three metres. DB Schenker’s plan is to expand its fleet with 100 electric lions by 2026. 50 additional MAN eTGL trucks are set to follow.

Straight on the test track

To ensure the drivers were fully trained in handling their fully electric vehicles, professional training was provided by the MAN ProfiDrive® trainers. The drivers eagerly awaited initial insights into new digital features or how recuperation works. Whereas a lot of energy is lost in diesel engines due to the combustion heat of the engine and also during braking phases, electric trucks can convert free rolling energy back into electrical charge for the batteries. Decelerating with the accelerator pedal is essential to recover energy through recuperation. At MAN, learning this driving style forms part of the training courses. Putting their newly found knowledge straight into action on the MAN test track was, without doubt, the best part for these professional drivers. The enthusiasm and surprise were writ large on many of their faces.

Launches like a rocket

“That first drive was sensational! Absolutely phenomenal,” enthuses Uwe. “The truck has instant drive and thrust. It goes off like a rocket.” Uwe is a truck driver with all his heart and soul and has been behind the wheel since 1993. He is convinced that an electric lion is perfect for driving his routes. Working for DB Schenker, Uwe supplies one of the largest companies for assembly and fastening materials in daily scheduled service – and drives the same route four times a day. This means charging is no problem. After going on a test drive, he was so fascinated by the quiet feel in the cab and the pleasant handling. “I’m already looking forward to what my major customer will say when I arrive driving it,” he laughs. “It will definitely be a surprise. All my concerns have disappeared!”

Handover day turned out to be both educational and full of experiences for this professional driver and his DB Schenker colleagues. The MAN ProfiDrive® team was able to answer all of the drivers’ questions and provide explanations at the vehicles themselves or during the test drive … “so that you can drive even further and better with the MAN eTruck,” adds Uwe. He feels ready to drive his daily routes in his electric lion.

Torsten Gappe, Fleet Manager at DB Schenker in Dortmund, is also impressed.

Thank you for your visit, and we wish you all safe travels!