Even without diesel, construction transport keeps running

Early response to zero-emission zones in (mid-)large cities

MAN Truck & Bus is making great strides in emission-free construction transport. Not only will the German manufacturer start series production of its electric truck next year, but the pickup or tipper van is also responding to the growing demand for clean means of transport. Especially with the advent of zero-emission zones in many cities, this is good news. 

Starting in 2025, municipalities will be allowed to introduce zero-emission zones. Only vans and trucks running without diesel or gasoline will be allowed to enter these zones. From January 1, 2025, vans with emission class lower than Euro 5 will no longer be allowed to enter zero-emission zones. For vans with emission class Euro 6, this rule will take effect on Jan. 1, 2028. For some vehicle categories there is still a transitional arrangement until 2030. The Netherlands currently already has 15 environmental zones, mostly located in inner cities.

MAN Truck & Bus is leading the way in the development of electrically powered construction transport. MAN launched its first electric trucks, also known as e-trucks, in 2021. The first few years were mostly spent testing. The eTGM has a range of up to 200 kilometers and a payload of up to 26 tons.

Specifically designed for urban distribution, the eTGM can run without harmful emissions and virtually silent. This makes the eTGM ideal for use in cities, where air and noise pollution are a major problem. The MAN eTGM is equipped with an electric motor that produces 264 hp. This allows the truck to travel almost as fast as MAN's diesel variants. The maximum speed of the eTGM is 90 km/h, which is sufficient for today's city traffic. The truck offers up to 640 kWh of battery capacity, providing a considerable range.

The MAN eTGM is part of the MAN eMobility concept, which enables worry-free driving by offering a standard 5-year full warranty on the MAN eTGM and an 8-year warranty on the battery. Drivers receive extensive training so they can get the most out of their truck.

Series production

MAN Truck & Bus will start series production of a new electric truck at its Munich plant next year. The first mass-produced electric trucks are expected to be delivered to customers in the first half of 2024. Four months before official sales, more than 500 order requests have already been placed in Europe for the long-haul sustainable truck.

It was only two years ago that MAN laid the foundation for large-scale production of e-trucks and the associated, mixed production of electric and conventional trucks on one assembly line with the eMobility Center.

Scandinavia leads the way

Governments in Scandinavia recognized early on the potential of the switch in propulsion technologies: away from burning fossil fuels and toward using electricity as an energy source in vehicles. Today, more than 60% of new passenger car registrations there are already powered by zero-emission propulsion systems. The projected market share for battery-electric commercial vehicles is already around 20% by 2025.

These goals are being achieved in part because of strong political guidance. Denmark, for example, is introducing tolls for trucks from Jan. 1, 2025, with charges staggered based on CO2 emissions. In Norway and Sweden, governments have banned the sale of diesel trucks starting in 2030. Large companies and retail chains in the Nordic region have begun converting their vans to battery-electric powertrains early as a result. 

SME contractors

Yet in urban traffic, it is not the very largest trucks that will be the problem in the coming years. Smaller contractors, finishers and handymen in particular will be confronted with the strict environmental regulations. MAN has a solution for this target group as well: the eTGE series of vans, available in different variants that are ideally suited for the construction industry. 

The MAN eTGE is an all-electric van that has been on the market since 2018. The van has a range of up to 173 kilometers and a payload of up to 950 kg. The MAN eTGE is equipped with an electric motor delivering 136 hp. The bus offers up to 10.7 m³ of space for crates, shelves, appliances and much more. However, the MAN eTGE is also available as a panel van, combi, platform truck, tipper or with an enclosed cargo box.