DB Schenker puts first 10 of 150 MAN eTrucks into service

DB Schenker, one of the world's leading logistics service providers and market leader in European land transport, took delivery of the first ten MAN long-distance electric trucks directly from the MAN Truck & Bus plant in Munich to join its fleet.

"Immediately after the ceremonial handover of the vehicles, the drivers themselves transferred their new trucks to the respective DB Schenker locations throughout Germany. From there, the MAN eTGX Ultra semitrailer tractors, which have been specially developed for high loading volume requirements and allow the use of corresponding mega trailers with an interior height of three metres, will be on the road," says an official release from MAN.

These trailers have been used specifically in the automotive segment for years, but also in other areas with high loading space requirements, the release added. "The high loading volume helps to make transport more environmentally friendly, and in combination with the all-electric MAN eTGX Ultra Low Liner, sustainably reduces CO2 emissions. DB Schenker and MAN have agreed in a letter of intent 2023 that 100 of the electric lorries will be added to the fleet by 2026."

The two companies also signed a further LoI for the delivery of 50 MAN eTGL. The all-electric 12-tonne truck for urban freight transport can be ordered from April 2025, and is intended to supplement DB Schenker's electric fleet in distribution logistics, the release added.

"We are very proud that the first ten MAN eTGX are now in daily logistics use for DB Schenker," says Friedrich Baumann, Member of the Executive Board for Sales & Customer Solutions, MAN. "The sustainable decarbonisation of freight transport is our common goal. The new MAN eTruck is not only locally CO2-free but also fulfils the diverse requirements of our customers. Volume transport is one example of this. No other series-produced electric semitrailer tractor on the market offers such a short wheelbase with maximum battery capacity for trailers with an interior height of three metres. The fact that DB Schenker also wants to rely on MAN for electric distribution transport with the eTGL confirms that our eTruck portfolio offers the right solution for every transport sector."

Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President, Land Transport, DB Schenker Europe adds: "As a pioneer in the transition to zero-emission drives, DB Schenker will continue to invest in sustainable solutions in the future. We are delighted to be the first customer to have the opportunity to put a fleet of 10 MAN eTGXs into operation. Some vehicles will be used in daily scheduled services in our general cargo network in two-shift operation, for example in a daily round trip between our locations in Dortmund and Hanover. Other vehicles will be deployed specifically for our customers in the automotive and consumer sectors."

The first ten MAN eTrucks for DB Schenker are being funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the directive on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drive systems and associated refuelling and charging infrastructure (KsNI), the release added.