MAN Truck & Bus marked a significant step in freight transport electrification with the delivery of its first MAN eTruck to the Duvenbeck Group.
Duvenbeck Pioneers Sustainable Logistics with MAN eTrucks
The Ultra Low Liner eTGX semitrailer, designed to meet the specific loading volume demands of automotive logistics, is aimed at enhancing Volkswagen‘s plant logistics with a strong focus on sustainability.
Under a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the two companies, Duvenbeck plans to integrate up to 120 units of the MAN eTGX into its fleet by 2026. These electric trucks would support Volkswagen‘s logistics operations across the Rhine-Ruhr and BeNeLux freight forwarding regions, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly transportation solutions.
“With the Ultra Low Liner eTruck, MAN developed a solution that is perfectly tailored to the requirements of the automotive industry. No other series produced electric semitrailer tractor could pull trailers with an interior height of three metres. This makes it the ideal choice for transports with high volume requirements. MAN is thrilled to collaborate with two strong partners, Duvenbeck and Volkswagen, to bring this innovation to the road,” said Friedrich Baumann, Chief Sales & Customer Solutions Officer at MAN Truck & Bus.
The Ultra Low Liner MAN eTGX is described as a pioneer in its class. With a semitrailer height of just 950mm, a compact 3.75-metre wheelbase and maximum battery capacity, it delivers a range of about 500 kilometres.
This design is seen as ideal for automotive logistics that prioritises maximum load volume of up to three metres in interior height over heavy load weights. Featuring a modular battery system with options for four, five or six battery packs and power outputs of 449 or 544hp, it could be tailored to meet various transport needs.
The eTGX comes equipped with standard CCS charging technology (up to 375kW) and offers an optional MCS system with up to one megawatt charging capability to enable faster recharging during driver breaks.
Duvenbeck: Partner for Green Logistics
Sustainability is a central element of Duvenbeck’s corporate strategy for years. With the ‘Green Logistics’ initiative, the company focuses on low emission and resource-saving transport solutions.
“The MAN eTruck is an important step towards emission-free logistics. It helps us to meet our customers’ requirements and protect the environment at the same time. Sustainability is part of our everyday practice,” emphasises Bernd Reining, Senior Director Procurement, Duvenbeck.
Duvenbeck says it continuously implements measures to optimise energy efficiency and conserve resources. These include the use of alternative drive systems, the reduction of empty runs and innovative charging concepts. The use of the MAN eTruck marks a further contribution to minimising CO₂ emissions in the supply chain.
Climate-friendly logistics for Volkswagen
Duvenbeck would use the MAN eTruck to supply Volkswagen production in future.
Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics, underlines the importance of the project: “Our partner Duvenbeck is taking a bold step forward. MAN eTrucks are being used for the first time at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg. This means that the technology’s suitability for everyday use and cost-effectiveness could now be proven.”
The deployment of MAN eTrucks is a key component of Volkswagen‘s goTOzero impact logistics programme that is aimed at achieving consistently climate-friendly logistics. In the long term, transitioning to electric trucks represents the most effective strategy for reducing CO2 emissions in road transport. Where rail transport powered by green electricity isn’t feasible — due to limited rail infrastructure, for instance — battery-electric trucks (BEVs) using green electricity are the preferred alternative. This cross-modal approach leverages the strengths of each mode: rail for long-distance routes and emission-friendly BEV trucks for pre-carriage, onward carriage and short to medium-distance transportation.
Comprehensive Support for eMobility Transition
Transport companies transitioning to electromobility could take advantage of MAN‘s 360-degree eMobility Consulting, which offers tailored guidance on vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure requirements.
MAN‘s range of services also includes the provision of charging infrastructure itself through partnerships with charging infrastructure suppliers. In addition, as with conventionally powered trucks, service contracts and financing solutions specially tailored to electric mobility as well as numerous digital services are available for the use of the new electric lions. These include the MAN eReadyCheck, which customers could use to check how their delivery routes could be driven purely electrically, as well as the MAN Charge & Go charging service including charging card, which enables simple, consolidated charging planning and billing for international routes.
