Johann Fischer Expands Fleet On Norderney With MAN eTGE Battery-Electric Vans

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Freight forwarder Johann Fischer recently added three MAN eTGE battery-electric vans to its fleet operating on the East Frisian islands off the coast of Lower Saxony in Germany. (Photo courtesy of MAN.)

Johann Fischer, a haulage company operating on the German island of Norderney, recently added three MAN eTGEs to its fleet on the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fully electric vehicles provide zero-emission transport for goods across the island. The East Frisian island’s renown as a climatic health resort and spa is what inspired Georg Fischer to turn to electric mobility. Fischer was born on the island and is the fourth generation of his family to run the firm. The Johann Fischer fleet currently consists of 35 MAN vehicles, including tractor units, and now eTGEs, making it one of the first companies on the island to switch to electric.

“If we set a good example here, it radiates," says Fischer.

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The haulier reports that a single battery charge is frequently enough to get its MAN eTGEs through two full working days. (Photo courtesy of MAN.)

Operating In A Unique Environment

Life on the island comes with certain requirements. Larger trucks are allowed to cross the island by ferry, but are not allowed to drive across the island. To tackle this unique logistical situation, Johan Fischer handles goods directly from its warehouse at Norderney harbour. With its smaller vehicles, including the eTGEs, it can take drinks, food, and parcels through narrow streets from the warehouse to the hotels, guest houses, and shops. The electric vans also deliver luggage for holiday guests to their accommodations.

Fischer acts as a reception forwarder for the other East Frisian islands, as well. The company maintains a large warehouse in Norden where its fleet delivers goods from other forwarders to the ferries as well as running routes for grocery and drugstore chains from their warehouses to their shops. The company also transports building materials with vehicles specially adapted for the island.

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The eTGEs run quieter, produce zero emissions, and can traverse the streets of the islands where larger trucks are not allowed. (Photo courtesy of MAN.)

About The eTGE

The eTGEs have a range of up to 130 kilometres, making them ideally suited for routes on the island. Often the vehicles can perform two full days of work on a single battery charge, Fischer reports. The firm charges them using wall boxes in its warehouse. The van offers 10.7 cubic metres (378 cubic feet) of load space and a payload of just under 1 tonne (1.1 U.S. tons). The van can charge from zero to 80% in 45 minutes with up to 40 kilowatts of direct current. The batteries have an 8-year or 160,000-kilometre (99,400-mile) warranty. It also comes with safety features such as Emergency Brake Assist, a rearview camera, and Side Wall Protection Assist, which are beneficial in congested areas.

"You quickly get used to the electric drive,” says Fischer. “A fully electric van like this has no gearstick and delivers full power to the axle. I am absolutely convinced of the quality of my MAN vehicles, the workmanship, the reliability—nothing squeaks or creaks.”

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Source: MAN