Jens Hartmann from MAN Truck & Bus SE: MAN’s Modular eTruck Revolution

At IAA Transportation in Hannover, Jens Hartmann, Vice President of eTruck at MAN Truck & Bus SE, gave us a closer look at the company's modular electric truck. Offering flexibility, customisation, and reduced total cost of ownership, Hartmann says the eTruck is set to transform the logistics industry with its innovative battery configuration and high-power charging capabilities.

At the IAA Transportation in Hannover, MAN showcased its latest advancements in electric trucking, bringing along their modular eTruck. Jens Hartmann, Vice President of the eTruck division, enthusiastically discussed the company’s progress. “We are presenting a full line of electric trucks from 12 to 44 tonnes,” he stated, highlighting MAN’s focus on sustainability and innovation.

Since 2018, MAN has been working on electric solutions for heavy-duty transport, starting with the ETGM and evolving to this latest fleet. “We already launched a small fleet of e-trucks, and now we are launching a full line from 12 tonnes onwards,” Hartmann said, underscoring their pioneering role in the transition to zero-emission transport.

Flexibility and Efficiency at the Core

One of the key features of MAN’s eTruck is its unique modular battery system, designed to meet diverse customer needs. “It’s the modularity that makes our eTruck stand out,” Hartmann explained. “Customers can choose from two to seven batteries, providing capacities ranging from 160 kilowatt-hours to 560 kilowatt-hours.” This flexibility allows for over 100 different configurations, enabling businesses to tailor the truck’s range and payload according to their specific operations.

Hartmann emphasised the importance of adapting to customer requirements rather than forcing them to fit into a pre-determined mould. “We need to adapt to our customers’ needs, not the other way around,” he affirmed. This approach ensures that logistics companies can choose the ideal configuration for their routes, whether prioritising range, payload, or energy efficiency. The result is an electric truck that offers reduced total cost of ownership (TCO), a critical factor in the industry. “Our eTruck helps our customers lower the cost of operations,” he noted.

Megawatt Charging: Powering the Future of Logistics

Charging infrastructure is another focal point of MAN’s electric trucking strategy. At the event, MAN demonstrated their megawatt charging system, which can deliver 1,000 kilowatts of power. “We’ve presented the megawatt charging standard, which allows for full recharging within the mandatory 45-minute driver break,” said Hartmann. This development bridges the gap between conventional diesel operations and the emerging electric alternatives, ensuring minimal disruption to daily logistics operations.

The adoption of this high-powered charging technology is crucial for the efficiency of electric trucks. As Hartmann explained, it allows for trucks to be recharged in the same amount of time it takes to refuel a diesel truck, making the switch to electric more feasible for fleet operators. “It’s important that our customers can use the truck as they would a combustion vehicle,” he added.

Looking ahead, MAN is already working on the next phase of megawatt charging, which will increase power capacity even further. This technology, combined with MAN’s commitment to flexible battery configurations, sets a strong foundation for the widespread adoption of electric trucks in the coming years.