On July 19 in Plattling, Bavaria, an electric truck charged its batteries with over 1000 kilowatts and 1500 amps for the first time, enabling the 40-tonne MAN eTruck to travel approximately 400 kilometers in just 30 minutes. This event marked a significant milestone in the NEFTON research project, a collaboration involving MAN Truck & Bus, the Technical University of Munich, and several other partners, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. The project aims to develop the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for ultra-fast charging of electric trucks, focusing on practicality, cost, and grid connection power. The successful demonstration, attended by prominent figures such as Bavarian State Minister Hubert Aiwanger and Professor Monika Schnitzer, highlighted the potential of megawatt charging to make electric trucks a viable, emission-free alternative to diesel trucks in long-distance transport, crucial for achieving the Paris Climate Agreement goals.
The NEFTON project’s results emphasize the necessity of a robust public fast-charging infrastructure to support the transition to electric trucks, particularly for long-distance transport. The research indicates that fast-charging stations with up to one megawatt of power are needed every 50 km along major transport routes, with future capacities potentially reaching 3000 kW to enhance efficiency and flexibility. Additionally, bidirectional charging could allow trucks to function as storage units within the power grid. MAN’s commitment to expanding this infrastructure is evident in its partnerships and projects, such as a collaboration with E.ON to establish 400 charging points across Europe and involvement in the Milence joint venture, which aims to create 1,700 commercial vehicle charging points. These efforts are part of MAN’s broader strategy to support the electrification of road freight transport, anticipating that by 2030, half of all new MAN trucks in Europe will be electric
