As some U.S.-based legacy OEMs continue to take a slightly more restrained approach to launching battery-electric commercial rigs due to a currently unpredictable market and economy, their overseas counterparts - mainly in Europe -- are showing no signs of slowing down.
The latest example is MAN Truck & Bus. The German-based manufacturer has just announced it's officially kicked off series production of its battery-electric truck lineup at its Munich plant.
It's important to note that both EV and diesel-powered trucks are being built "in a fully integrated mixed production process on the same line." Having this capability enables market flexibility as well as production efficiency.
The E-Powerpack is assembled in a separate pre-assembly line close to the main assembly line.MAN
MAN is no stranger to EV rigs. Nearly 200 electric trucks have already been sold and delivered to customers. To date, these zero-emission trucks have already completed around 2 million kilometers (~1.24 million miles) by customers across Europe.
The company adds that it's already received 700 orders for its electric trucks.
"We have invested almost 400 million euros in research and development to be able to offer our conventional truck product portfolio with battery-electric drive as well," said CEO Alexander Vlaskamp. "The range extends from 12 to 50 tons and covers everything from refuse collection vehicles to long-haul trucks. We have done our homework. We aim to deliver the first 1,000 electric trucks by the end of the year. Depending on their use and electricity mix, this would save C02 emissions comparable to those of a small town."
The company adds that its Munich main plant has a production capacity of around 100 trucks daily, regardless of the powertrain technology. About eight hours is all it takes to complete a single vehicle.
“The production of electric or diesel trucks on a single line can be flexibly adapted to market developments, and the vehicles can be built exactly in the order in which they are ordered by customers. This innovative concept is accompanied by extensive changes along the assembly line as well as in the supply chain and logistics,” explained Executive Board Member Michael Kobriger.
MAN reiterates that it remains on track to become CO2 neutral by 2050.
