Can MAN’s European expertise herald a new era for electric commercial large vehicles in Asia?
7 Sep 20243 min read
Summary
- MAN Truck & Bus showcased its latest electric, hydrogen, and diesel vehicles at the 2024 IAA Transportation trade fair in Hannover as part of its decarbonization strategy. The MAN eTruck, with over a million configurations and a range of up to 800 kilometers, has already received 2,000 orders, including 100 from France.
- CEO Alexander Vlaskamp emphasized that electromobility remains central to MAN’s strategy while diesel and hydrogen will continue to play a role during the transition. MAN aims for half of its new European trucks to be battery-electric by 2030 and is part of Milence, a joint venture developing 1,700 truck-charging stations across Europe.
- In Asia, MAN is partnering with Singapore’s ST Engineering to develop electric buses aligned with the nation’s Green Plan 2030. With its advancements in electric mobility, hydrogen innovation, and safety systems, MAN’s expertise in Europe may soon influence the future of commercial transport across Asia.
Ahead of the 2024 IAA Transportation trade fair in Hannover, Germany, on September 17 to 22—an international industry platform showcasing innovations in commercial vehicles— MAN Truck & Bus showcased a range of trucks as the transportation industry moves towards decarbonization. Over 200 journalists tested MAN’s latest trucks, which included electric, hydrogen and state-of-the-art diesel vehicles.
The MAN eTruck has over a million configurations and a range of up to 800 kilometers and has already received 2,000 order requests. France has an order for 100 vehicles, showing strong demand for electric solutions in long-haul applications.
MAN’s CEO, Alexander Vlaksamp, highlighted the company’s focus on electromobility while acknowledging the ongoing importance of diesel and hydrogen during the transition phase, especially in building charging infrastructure.
MAN aims to have every second truck registered in Europe running on battery-electric power by 2030. The company is also part of the joint venture Milence, which opened one of the first truck charging parks in the Port of Antwerp. They are working to establish 1,700 charging points for electric trucks. 50,000 will be required by 2030 for the increasing number of electric trucks. MAN is also working on electrifying its service network.
In addition to electric trucks, MAN is the first to introduce a hydrogen combustion engine for trucks. While electric trucks may lead the charge, hydrogen technology offers a viable alternative for specific heavy-duty transport applications or regions with scarce charging infrastructure. A prototype hydrogen-combustion truck, the MAN hTGX, will be delivered in small series starting in 2025. Just like its electric counterparts, it meets the criteria of a zero-emission vehicle.
The demand for traditional combustion-engine trucks remains strong during the transition to zero-emission technologies. The new Power Lion driveline for diesel trucks offers a 3.7 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and includes aerodynamic measures. This will result in cost savings for each kilometer traveled as it falls under favorable toll classes.
During test drives in the Alps, the focus was also on new safety and assistance systems. These include pedestrian and cyclist detection, a third-generation advanced emergency braking system, and a turning aid to protect vulnerable road users. MAN’s new TGE van also features the Cruise Assist Plus system with emergency assistance, which monitors driver activity and can autonomously bring the vehicle to a safe stop if needed.
MAN is also making strides in Asia. MAN partnered with ST Engineering in Singapore to support the nation’s Green Plan, which aims to electrify half of its public bus fleet by 2030. The collaboration aims to develop electric buses that meet the latest bus requirements. It will feature the low-floor variant of MAN’s Lion’s Chassis E and be configured with three passenger doors.
With MAN’s blend of cutting-edge technology, modular designs and a clear commitment to electro-mobility, it’s not just Europe that stands to benefit. As demand for cleaner, more efficient supply chain transportation solutions grows, the question remains: Can we expect MAN to bring these large electric commercial vehicles across Asia?