MAN Truck & Bus has officially unveiled its electric truck models, the eTGX and eTGS, designed for long-distance and distribution transport. These new electric trucks build upon the previous “MAN eTruck” model and offer flexible battery configurations for varying needs.
The eTGX and eTGS electric trucks feature the same modular construction, with differences primarily related to the cab, resembling the existing diesel models. Equipped with up to six battery packs—two under the cab and up to four along the vehicle frame—these trucks offer an impressive 480 kWh of usable battery capacity, allowing for daily ranges of up to 800 kilometers. The charging infrastructure includes the CCS standard and the more powerful MCS standard, which provides charging capabilities of up to 750 kW upon initial launch, with potential for over one megawatt of charging power in later expansion stages. This high charging capacity aims to support daily ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers.
The electric motor can be configured with outputs of 254 kW, 330 kW, or 400 kW, paired with corresponding maximum torque ratings ranging from 800 to 1,250 Newton meters. Notably, the recuperation power during deceleration is on par with the drive power of the respective electric motor, contributing to efficient energy recovery.
MAN Truck & Bus offers flexibility in battery and body configurations to cater to diverse customer requirements, such as range, payload, and charging times. An eTGS for urban distribution, for example, with a daily range of approximately 250 kilometers and overnight depot charging, may require only three battery packs instead of six, reducing vehicle weight by up to 2.4 tons, thus increasing available payload and improving efficiency for partial loads or empty runs.
To accommodate various depot conditions and customer preferences, the charging connection can be positioned flexibly. MAN offers two CCS connections behind the front wheel arch or one MCS connection at the rear of the frame. This flexibility enhances compatibility with specific infrastructure layouts and operational needs.
Additionally, MAN’s modular battery architecture facilitates body customization by freeing up space on either side of the frame for components like high-performance pumps, equipment storage, and crane outriggers. The batteries’ compact design allows MAN to offer a volume variant with a low frame height suitable for transport with an interior height of three meters, fulfilling specific requirements in production logistics, among other sectors.
Efficient thermal management is vital for electric trucks, particularly regarding cab heating and cooling. MAN’s thermal management system optimizes the utilization of excess heat generated during operation for cabin heating, relying on battery energy only when necessary. This approach ensures effective temperature control, even in challenging winter conditions.
Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member for Sales and Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus, emphasized the role of electric trucks in addressing climate goals, stating, “Electric trucks are the key to achieving this. As a commercial vehicle manufacturer, we have repositioned ourselves for this epochal transformation in recent years, making ourselves robust and future-proof to handle the high investments in the new technology. With the sale of our new eTrucks, we are now launching into a new era of climate-neutral transport.”
