[October 22, 2024, Leipzig] Recently, MAN has commenced deliveries of its pure electric trucks, marking the company’s entry into a new era of transformation. In Leipzig, MAN delivered the first 40-ton pure electric vehicle to automotive parts supplier DRÄXLMAIER Group. In the future, DRÄXLMAIER Group will utilize the MAN eTGX to transport batteries for the Porsche Macan Electric to the Porsche factory in Leipzig with zero emissions.
MAN Group CEO Alexander Vlaskamp stated, “This is undoubtedly an important milestone in the history of our company. Looking back a century, MAN launched its first diesel truck. Now, we are entering a completely new electric era. We are honored and pleased by the trust that DRÄXLMAIER Group has placed in us. After years of planning, research and development, and tens of thousands of kilometers of road testing, we are finally embarking on this new journey.”
In the future, the MAN eTGX will assist DRÄXLMAIER Group in transporting batteries for Porsche models with zero emissions. This electric truck will be charged at DRÄXLMAIER’s factory using electricity generated from renewable energy. Alexander Vlaskamp remarked, “This solution is highly sustainable and is undoubtedly a true success model for electric transport.” Albrecht Reimold, Executive Board Member responsible for production and logistics at Porsche, stated, “We are delighted that the MAN electric truck can join the supply chain for the production of the Macan model in Leipzig. This clearly demonstrates that even large components such as battery modules can be transported purely electrically.”
Felix Klimas, Head of Supply Chain Management at DRÄXLMAIER Group, expressed, “The inclusion of the MAN eTruck further underscores our commitment to our core values of sustainability. Our understanding of sustainability is to reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain.” Karsten Wilhelm, head of the Leipzig plant, added, “We are proud to use electric trucks for product deliveries to our customers. This will enable the Leipzig battery plant to contribute even more to sustainable logistics.”
DRÄXLMAIER did not purchase the vehicle directly but commissioned it for transport. The vehicle was acquired by BFS (Business Fleet Services), the largest MAN commercial vehicle leasing company in Europe. BFS will lease the vehicle to Spedition Elflein, which will operate the truck. Jan Plieninger, General Manager of BFS, stated, “As Europe’s largest MAN commercial vehicle leasing company, we are honored to be part of this milestone, stepping into the electric age alongside MAN and our customers.”
Stefanie Kotschenreuther, General Manager of Elflein, noted, “We are honored to be the first transport and logistics service provider to use the new MAN electric truck. This further demonstrates our commitment to sustainable transport solutions. The electric truck will make a significant contribution to decarbonizing the logistics industry. Additionally, the driving experience of the MAN eTGX is impressive, with excellent handling and controllability, outstanding power output, and low noise levels.”
By the end of the year, two more eTrucks will be delivered. The delivered pure electric trucks have an average transport load of 15.5 tons, a maximum power of 330 kW (approximately 450 horsepower), and are equipped with six battery packs, providing a battery capacity of 534 kWh (480 kWh usable). They can achieve a maximum charging power of 375 kW via CCS. The suspension height is approximately 950 mm. The vehicle also features a fully digitized driver’s cabin designed specifically for electric trucks.
MAN is the only commercial vehicle manufacturer mass-producing low-deck pure electric semi-trailers. Thanks to the low-deck design, the vehicle can tow trailers with an internal height of three meters, enabling the transport of larger volume goods. This is particularly attractive for industries that frequently transport lightweight but bulky automotive parts. Additionally, the MAN electric truck has a shorter wheelbase compared to similar models, further improving trailer compatibility. The vehicles in MAN’s pure electric product matrix can reach a maximum power of 400 kW (approximately 544 horsepower). Depending on application requirements, when equipped with a seventh high-voltage battery pack (installed by MAN’s customization department), a fully charged vehicle can achieve a range of about 650 kilometers. The MAN eTGX and eTGS are also equipped with the Megawatt Charging Standard (MCS), which supports charging power of 1 megawatt and above, allowing for an 80% fast charge in about half an hour, making them more suitable for long-distance transport needs.
Currently, MAN’s pure electric trucks have received over 2,500 orders and inquiries. Friedrich Baumann, a member of the MAN Truck & Bus sales and customer service board, stated, “Alongside the ‘lightweight sibling model’ eTGL, which will debut at the 2024 Hannover International Commercial Vehicle Show, MAN now offers a complete range of pure electric products from 12 tons to 50 tons. It is expected that by 2030, about half of all trucks delivered by MAN will be pure electric products.”
