German-based MAN Trucks & Bus (MAN) has announced it will roll out its electric truck in 2024. The battery packs for the new initiative will be produced in-house at its Nuremberg site.
It is official, sales for the new MAN eTruck have started. Board member for production Michael Kobriger attended the ground-breaking of the company’s new battery building. Production of high voltage batteries will be manufactured in the new battery building.
“The mobility shift toward electrically powered road haulage is changing the entire industry in an unprecedented way. MAN is actively helping to shape the change. Our transformation into a provider of sustainable and intelligent transport solutions is visible everywhere in the Company – especially here in Nuremberg,” says Kobriger.
Long distance haulage
The batteries will be suitable for long-distance haulage, with a daily travel range of 600 to 800 kilometers.
MAN is partnering with various organizations in areas such as batteries, hydrogen combustion engines, and fuel cells. It is also working with local universities for research and development.
In December 2022, MAN opened its transport company, Loadfox Transport Solutions. This was done to test and optimize the new etruck technology in real-world operations. The company’s first fully electric trucks have been operating between sites in Germany. With the testing of the logistics process now being done, MAN’s etruck will be rolled out to the first customers in 2024.
In addition to battery-electric vehicles, LoadFoax will focus on integrating autonomous driving functions in its logistics practices in 2024.
MAN’s eBus
The company hasn’t just put its foot forward in developing eTrucks, but an eBus as well. This month MAN announced the delivery of its Lion’s Explorer eBus to South Africa. MAN has already produced more than 1,000 ebuses.
Longstanding history in trucking
MAN’s company history goes as far back as 1908, to today, producing and selling trucks and buses in countries such as the USA, Turkey, and South Africa. MAN is one of Europe’s leading commercial manufacturers today. It recorded annual sales of 11 billion euros in 2022. Besides its truck and bus models, the company’s portfolio includes vans and diesel and gas engines.
Electric truck news worldwide
General Motors (GM) announced in mid-October it was postponing its addition of a second factory for electric pick-up trucks. The reason for this is the company wanted to better align for electric vehicle (EV) demand.
Meanwhile, Swedish electric truck start-up Volta has been placed under administration. (link to Marce’s story)
The International Energy Agency reports that almost 66,000 electric buses and 60,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks were sold worldwide in 2022. The agency adds that sales for electric buses were highest in Finland, with two-thirds of recorded sales.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
