On September 16, 2024, the world’s largest commercial vehicle show, the Hanover IAA Commercial Vehicle Show (hereinafter referred to as the IAA Show), officially commenced. As a leading local truck and bus company in Germany, MAN Germany showcased a variety of cutting-edge exhibits at this IAA show, bringing forward advanced and futuristic zero-emission concepts. As the host, MAN presented its vision for the future of transportation.
The transportation industry is rapidly developing, with the global landscape changing at an accelerated pace. Green, electrification, digitization, and intelligence have become key themes in the development of the commercial vehicle industry. At this year’s IAA show, MAN fully embraced decarbonization and sustainability. Firstly, the MAN booth was built using a large amount of reusable materials, such as aluminum, carpet tiles, wood, and glass, replacing plastics and laminates while minimizing printed materials, contributing to sustainable development.
Building on this, MAN booth staff wore paper name badges and wristbands, and served guests with reusable glass cups and plates. Most of the chairs and other furniture were rented, and even most of the plants at the booth were rented. Purchased items such as furniture and plants will be returned to MAN’s factory for reuse after the show, minimizing waste to the fullest.
Zero-emission and sustainability are the core themes for MAN at this year’s IAA show. Under this leadership, MAN introduced a diverse range of pure electric commercial vehicles, led by the eTGX heavy-duty long-haul electric truck. The exhibited vehicle features a 4×2 drive configuration and is equipped with the MAN Individual Lion S package. This high-end package, developed by MAN’s Individual department, features blackened, carbon-fiber covers combined with red accents on the bumper, front grille, and electronic mirrors, creating a sporty and dynamic appearance.
The eTGX heavy-duty long-haul electric truck is based on the diesel version of the TGX model and is primarily designed for highway transportation. It is equipped with a minimum of three battery packs and a maximum of six, with each battery pack providing 80 kWh, giving the vehicle a total capacity of up to 480 kWh. The eTGX has completed testing of megawatt-level fast charging, with a maximum charging power exceeding 1000 kW, significantly improving energy replenishment efficiency. Even with standard DC fast charging, the power can still reach 375 kW, allowing a range of 800 kilometers per day.
The eTGX uses MAN’s self-developed central electric drive system instead of an electric drive axle. This system consists of components such as an electric motor, inverter, and gearbox. The motor is available in three power configurations: 333 hp, 449 hp, and 544 hp, with corresponding maximum torques of 800 Nm, 1150 Nm, and 1250 Nm. The electric motor is paired with MAN’s electric drive system gearbox, offering two-speed and four-speed options. Through different gear ratio combinations, this central drive assembly allows the MAN eTGX to adapt to both low-speed and high-speed conditions and connect with conventional MAN axles.
The MAN eTGX also offers a chassis version that can be used for freight trucks, sharing the same electric powertrain as the tractor version. The image above shows a heavy-duty eTGX chassis with a 6×2 drive configuration. The flat top of the chassis allows it to be combined with various superstructures without requiring special modifications.
In addition to the eTGX, the MAN eTGS model was also on display. Compared to the eTGX’s focus on long-haul highway transportation, the eTGS is designed for multipurpose applications, covering engineering, heavy-duty distribution, and more. The image above shows a MAN eTGS with a 4×2 drive configuration and an extra-long wheelbase, equipped with a refrigerated truck superstructure. Compared to traditional diesel trucks, electric trucks have the advantage of using onboard batteries to power refrigeration units, eliminating the need for generators, resulting in zero emissions, zero noise, and lower operating costs.
Official photo of the eTGS refrigerated truck.
The long wheelbase and extended rear overhang provide a huge cargo volume. Thanks to the modular electric powertrain developed by MAN, the eTGS shares the same electric configuration with the eTGX and allows for flexible chassis layout choices as needed.
At the show, MAN also presented a construction vehicle based on the eTGS 6×2 chassis. It is equipped with a dump body and a Palfinger crane, driven by an electric PTO powering the hydraulic pump, which in turn drives the crane and dump body lift cylinders. MAN can also offer a special configuration for the 6×2 version of the eTGS chassis, adding an extra battery pack by the Individual department, bringing the total number of battery packs to seven and increasing the total vehicle capacity to 623 kWh, with a usable capacity of 560 kWh, significantly enhancing range and work endurance.
Official photo of this vehicle.
MAN designed a sturdy reinforced frame for the outside of the power battery, providing stronger protection. The newly developed fastening system allows the battery pack to be quickly removed, facilitating maintenance and inspection. Combined with headlamp guards and other features, it meets construction vehicle requirements.
Like the eTGX, the eTGS also has its batteries mounted on the sides of the chassis, compatible with a variety of casings for enhanced protection.
At this year’s IAA exhibition, MAN also introduced a world premiere of a new model: the eTGL. It shares a technical platform with its larger counterparts, the eTGX and eTGS, and adopts MAN’s independently developed central electric drive system, integrating a single motor with a two-speed gearbox, capable of delivering 285 horsepower. The chassis is equipped with a battery on each side, providing balanced weight distribution. Each battery offers 80 kWh of energy, giving the vehicle a total capacity of 160 kWh, which translates to a driving range of 235 kilometers. Additionally, the MAN eTGL supports 250 kW DC fast charging, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
After showcasing electric truck models, the next to debut is Europe’s first commercialized hydrogen internal combustion heavy-duty truck: the MAN hTGX. It is based on the latest generation of the TGX model and is equipped with MAN’s independently developed H4576 inline six-cylinder hydrogen engine. This engine is an evolution of MAN’s D3876 diesel engine, with the displacement increased to 16.8 liters, capable of producing 520 horsepower and 2,500 Nm of torque. The maximum torque range spans from 900 to 1,300 rpm. Its torque curve is similar to that of a diesel engine, with smooth, linear torque output, making it ideal for traditional heavy-duty applications.
The hydrogen storage tanks for the MAN hTGX are supplied by German company Voith, based on its Plug & Drive H2 modular hydrogen storage system. It adopts a saddle-mounted four-cylinder configuration. These four 70 MPa tanks provide a total hydrogen storage capacity of 56 kilograms, giving the vehicle a full-load range of 600 kilometers, with refueling taking less than 15 minutes. According to materials from Voith, there is potential for the hTGX to be equipped with additional tanks in the future, offering even longer range.
The color scheme of the hTGX has also undergone several updates, evolving from the initial blue accents to the current bright green accents, reflecting the continuous development of the MAN hTGX model. Additionally, the exposed hydrogen tanks on the prototype have been covered on the display vehicle, providing a more harmonious appearance and added protection.
The MAN hTGX hydrogen internal combustion truck is available in 4×2 and 6×4 configurations, with a primary focus on the three-axle long-wheelbase chassis, which is about 80 centimeters longer than the diesel version. This choice is due to the heavy weight of the hydrogen storage system, which requires three axles for better load distribution. Both 6×4 dual-drive and 6×2 rear-steering chassis options are available, allowing customization based on actual needs. Moreover, the chassis layout, gearbox, and axles are consistent with diesel trucks, making maintenance easier and reducing acquisition and upkeep costs.
As Europe’s first commercialized hydrogen internal combustion truck, the MAN hTGX has won the 2025 Truck Innovation Award. Interestingly, the hydrogen internal combustion version of the DAF XF truck previously won the 2022 Truck Innovation Award, but it is still in the testing and development phase.
In addition to new energy trucks led by pure electric and hydrogen combustion, the traditional diesel powertrain has also been updated. The new powertrain, referred to by MAN as the “PowerLion,” is centered around the new D30 series engine. This engine shares a platform and technology with Scania’s Super engine, the DC13 17X series. While their turbo and other accessories differ, the core engines are essentially identical, both featuring an inline six-cylinder structure, dual overhead camshafts, integrated cylinder head technology, and the XPI ultra-high-pressure fuel injection system, resulting in higher fuel efficiency and significant improvements compared to the previous D26 engine.
The new D30 engine covers a power range from 380 to 560 horsepower, replacing the D26 and D15 series engines, and becoming the future main engine for MAN heavy-duty trucks
As part of the PowerLion powertrain, MAN also introduced the new TipMatic 14 transmission. This transmission features 14 forward gears and “8 reverse gears,” similar to Scania’s latest generation OptiCruise transmission. Of the 14 forward gears, 12 are regular gears, with 1 crawler gear and 1 overdrive gear. The 8 reverse gears are not physical gears but are achieved through a planetary gear system, eliminating the need for a reverse gear set. These features make the transmission lighter, shorter, and better suited to various operating conditions. Additionally, the transmission incorporates low internal resistance technology, an overhead oil sump design, and longer oil change intervals, all contributing to higher transmission efficiency. Furthermore, it can be paired with the new hydraulic retarder, providing a maximum braking torque of 4,700 Nm, ensuring safety during long downhill runs with heavy loads. As a side note, only two reverse gears are unlocked by default, but if needed, the remaining six reverse gears can be unlocked via the MAN Now over-the-air upgrade feature.
Thanks to powertrain innovations and aerodynamic optimizations, the 2025 MAN TGX equipped with the PowerLion powertrain boasts improved fuel efficiency, with a 3.7% increase over the previous generation. The TGX in the image also features the MAN Individual Lion S package, with eye-catching elements like the roof light bar and strip lights.
Also present at the event was a MAN TGS 35.540 dump truck equipped with the D26 engine and the Individual Lion S package.
In addition to trucks, light commercial vehicles such as vans are also an important part of MAN’s product lineup. At the exhibition, MAN showcased a TGE 4×4 model with a double cab, equipped with a flatbed, roof rack, roof lights, bumper, and snorkel, giving it a rugged appearance. This TGE also features an upgraded 200-horsepower engine, offering more powerful performance.
Unfortunately, this TGE is not the latest TGE Next Level model but is still based on the previous generation platform.
The new TGE Next Level model has upgraded exterior details, a new generation multimedia cockpit, and various safety features. We’ve covered this model in detail before, so we won’t go into further detail here
Amid the wave of modern development, MAN focuses on intelligence, digitization, and decarbonizing road freight as core development strategies. At this year’s IAA exhibition, MAN presented a diverse range of drive products, including pure electric, hydrogen fuel, and diesel power. The pure electric offerings cover a wide range of 12 to 50-ton capacities, while the hydrogen internal combustion and auxiliary systems fill in for more demanding markets. At the same time, diesel power has been revitalized with greater efficiency to promote sustainable development in the transportation industry. That concludes MAN’s exhibits at this year’s IAA. Thank you for reading! Want more of the latest, in-depth IAA exhibition news? Don’t forget to follow us!
