Supporting customers in transition to zero emissions

Plenty of alternatives as Department of Public Works bans HVO

At MAN, 2025 will be the year of the eTruck. Series production will start very soon in Munich, and some 2,800 orders have already been received. For customers, the conversion to electric represents a challenge that raises many questions. So the need for advice is great. The manufacturer is therefore investing heavily in personnel and technology. Curious what MAN can do for entrepreneurs in the construction, civil engineering or transport sector? At the TKD they will show it all!

The Netherlands' first all-electric MAN, an eTGX, was festively handed over to its proud owner in January. Van Doorn from Geldermalsen was the first to place an order for an eTruck from the pre-series and thus has the scoop in the form of an eTGX 4×2 tractor with GX cab, which will be used safely and sustainably for the realization and maintenance of (company) grounds, infrastructure and green areas. With a 540 kWh battery pack, from which 90 percent efficiency can be achieved thanks to new technology, Van Doorn expects to achieve sufficient range to deploy the acquisition without problems. Incidentally, MAN Truck & Bus has already been able to deliver eleven pre-series eTGX tractors in the Netherlands, and from June all eTruck variants will be delivered.

HVO100 under ban

Demand for zero-emission solutions in construction may get an extra boost now that HVO100 is no longer considered a sustainable alternative in Department of Public Works tenders since Jan. 1. For years, biodiesel - which reduces CO2 emissions from machinery and vehicles by 80 to 90 percent - was considered a transitional fuel and thus tolerated on zero-emission projects. Within the 'Protocol calculating and demonstrating MKI value', HVO is now equated by the Department of Public Works with regular diesel. This removes an important option for achieving sustainability scores within tenders, and so contractors are more quickly forced to make a choice between battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and hydrogen combustion engine (H2-ICE).

MAN Truck & Bus offers customers comprehensive support in this regard with the 360° consulting concept. "We see that the optimal drive choice depends heavily on the usage profile," says Jacobjan Vermeiden, Manager Transport Solutions. "A portal truck, operating locally or regionally, can do just fine electrically. For heavy transport, long distances or limited charging infrastructure, a hydrogen truck may be the better solution." This fall, the hTGX will enter the market with a GCW rising to 90 tons. The first examples are for De Jong Zuurmond and Jos Scholman. The in-house developed H45 hydrogen combustion engine, good for 520 hp and 2,500 Nm of torque, offers some 600 kilometers of range and in 10 to 15 minutes the hydrogen tanks are refueled.

Every kilogram counts

To help customers make the right decision, MAN developed the Energy & Range calculator, among other things. Based on deployment profiles, this tool calculates what battery capacity is needed and how many battery packs are optimal. It even takes into account the expected battery degradation in five to ten years. This prevents entrepreneurs from over- or under-investing. "Every kilogram counts, especially in the construction industry," Vermeiden emphasizes. "Don't forget that a battery pack weighs around 750 kilograms and that omitting one or two packs - if practical, of course - adds substantially to the net payload. Especially with construction vehicles, this is a consideration that should be made with care."

MAN builds its own high-voltage batteries in a brand-new plant in Nuremberg, Germany, which makes reliability and delivery reliability strong assets. The charging infrastructure also gets a lot of attention. With MAN Charge & Go, customers get five years of access to a free charging card, SmartRoute service and Dedicated Truck route planner when they purchase an electric truck. These tools allow drivers to quickly find suitable charging points and thus easily plan their routes. The app instantly reveals whether a charge point is "eTruck Ready" or "eTruck Limited," where restrictions apply. For example, that the trailer must be disconnected in order to charge, as a combination exceeds the maximum length.

Durable customization

With this broad approach, MAN shows that sustainability is customized work. Not every company can cope with one standard solution. With a broad portfolio and 360° advice, the manufacturer supports transport companies in the transition to zero emissions. It's all about matching the right technology to a specific application. At the TKD from June 12 to 14, MAN will present various trucks, including an electric eTGX 6×2 with hooklift system. Most likely, the hydrogen truck will also be on display during this active demonstration exhibition in Sint-Oedenrode. With this, MAN Truck & Bus underlines that the future is emission-free and companies can count on smart support during every step of the process.