DB Schenker receives first 10 MAN eTrucks
The handover of the first ten vehicles took place this week directly at the MAN plant in Munich, where the vehicles are being built. The vehicles are white with green accents, the same colour scheme that DB Schenker already uses for other electric trucks such as the Mercedes eActros. According to a letter of intent signed at the beginning of 2023, 100 heavy-duty electric trucks from MAN are to be added to the DB Schenker fleet by 2026.
The vehicles are MAN eTGX Ultra semitrailer tractors specially developed for high loading volume requirements, which allow the use of corresponding mega trailer semi-trailers with an interior height of three metres. These trailers have been used specifically in the automotive segment for years, but also in other areas with high loading space requirements.
At least the first ten units of the eTGX for DB Schenker were subsidised by the Federal Ministry of Transport via the KsNI funding – it is not known what the situation will be for the 90 other vehicles. However, it is clear that the ten e-trucks at DB Schenker are being deployed by the TIP Group, one of the leading manufacturer-independent commercial vehicle rental companies and service providers for the transport and logistics industry.
It is not clear from the MAN press release which engine/battery combination DB Schenker has opted for – however, the ‘Ultra semitrailer tractors’ are likely to be a configuration at the upper end of the spectrum. With the modular battery concept with a choice of four, five or six battery packs and power levels of 330 and 400 kW, the eTGX can be customised for many transport tasks. A range of up to 500 kilometres should be possible. Other features include the short wheelbase of 3.75 metres, a fifth wheel height of just 950 mm and a standard CCS charging capacity of up to 375 kW – an MCS connection with up to one megawatt charging capacity can also be ordered as an option.
“No other series-produced electric semitrailer tractor on the market offers such a short wheelbase with maximum battery capacity for trailers with an interior height of three metres,” says Friedrich Baumann, Chief Sales & Customer Solutions Officer at MAN Truck & Bus. “The fact that DB Schenker also wants to rely on MAN for electric distribution transport with the eTGL confirms that our eTruck portfolio offers the right solution for every transport sector.”
“We are delighted to be the first customer to have the opportunity to put a fleet of 10 MAN eTGXs into operation. Some vehicles will be used in daily scheduled services in our general cargo network in two-shift operation, for example in a daily round trip between our locations in Dortmund and Hanover,” stated Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Schenker in Europe. “Other vehicles will be deployed specifically for our customers in the automotive and consumer sectors.”
During the handover of the first MAN eTGX, the two companies also signed a further letter of intent for the delivery of 50 MAN eTGLs. The all-electric 12-tonne truck for urban freight transport can be ordered from April 2025 and is intended to supplement DB Schenker’s electric fleet in distribution logistics. “An electric 12-tonne truck was previously not available on the market. This is changing with the eTGL,” says Marc Pühler, Senior Vice President System Operations at DB Schenker in Europe, commenting on the letter of intent. “The eTGL is ideal for use on the last mile. We are proud to have been able to contribute our expertise to the development and look forward to the first series vehicle.”
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