German truckmaker MAN and logistics company Dettendorfer have initiated a four-week field trial to demonstrate the feasibility of electric freight transport over the Brenner Pass, one of Europe’s busiest Alpine routes. The trial, running through July and August, explores the operational, environmental and economic advantages of electric trucks in mountainous terrain.
The pilot involves MAN’s new series-production eTruck, which began rolling off the assembly line in Munich in June. On the test route between Munich and Verona, the vehicle operates overnight and includes a planned charging stop, allowing a daily range of up to 800 kilometres. This makes it possible to complete the cross-border journey in a single night, supported by favourable regulations for electric trucks.
Fully electric heavy-duty vehicles have been exempt from the night-time driving ban on the Inntal motorway (A12) between Austria and Italy since 2021. MAN and Dettendorfer are using this regulatory benefit to test the performance of electric logistics operations during quieter hours, aiming to cut emissions, reduce congestion, and improve overall traffic distribution.
Frederik Zohm, Chief Development Officer at MAN Truck & Bus, stated, “Electric heavy-duty logistics is revolutionising road freight transport – even under the most demanding topographical conditions that prevail in alpine regions. With this project, we are demonstrating that fully electric trucks are not only practical, but also set new standards in efficiency, sustainability and traffic control thanks to features such as recuperation and the possibility of night-time transport. Politics and industry must work hand in hand to make emission-free logistics a reality across the board.”
According to MAN, an electric truck operating 110,000 kilometres annually can save around 95 tonnes of CO₂ per year. If 300 electric trucks were used daily on similar routes, it would correspond to a reduction of approximately 28,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Cost savings are another key benefit: electric trucks can save up to €60,000 in tolls annually in Germany, where they are currently exempt from toll charges through the end of 2024, with reduced rates expected thereafter. Austria offers up to 75% toll reductions for electric trucks at night.
In addition to toll exemptions, operators benefit from lower energy and maintenance costs, as well as a 10-year road tax exemption. On hilly routes like the Brenner Pass, electric trucks achieve up to 40% energy recovery through regenerative braking. Noise emissions are also reduced by 12%, significantly improving conditions for residents along major transport corridors.
The trial comes as EU policymakers consider extending toll relief schemes to support investment in low-emission logistics. MAN estimates a cost advantage of roughly 15% for electric trucks over conventional diesel counterparts on the Brenner route, assuming a typical three-year service life. The project aims to illustrate the readiness of electric trucks for demanding long-haul operations, encouraging broader adoption across European freight corridors.