MAN Prototype Electric Truck Makes First Public Appearance, ABB E-mobility Promotes Megawatt Charging
MAN Truck & Bus recently held an event showcasing its near-series prototype electric truck, with special guests ABB E-mobility on hand to promote its megawatt charging technology. The German Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, attended the event, as well, and took the prototype electric truck for a test drive. The event hosts announced that the zero-emission electric truck, set for launch in 2024, is already equipped with the technical prerequisites to support future megawatt charging systems.
“Accelerating the expansion of the charging infrastructure is the only way to achieve the evolution of transport and meet climate targets,” says MAN Truck & Bus CEO Alexander Vlaskamp. “As part of the Traton Group, we are already participating in a joint venture with industry partners to develop and operate a high-performance public charging network with a target of at least 1,700 green electricity charging points across Europe.”
High-Performance Charging Infrastructure
With its near-series prototype and support for megawatt charging, MAN hopes to enable daily ranges between 600 and 800 kilometres (373 and 497 miles). ABB E-mobility’s research and development in megawatt charging should help to accelerate its availability.
“Megawatt charging will require new power technology with more than 1,000 volts, so systemic electrical safety and reliability are essential at these power levels and for the foreseeable use cases,” says ABB E-mobility CEO Frank Mühlon. “Our shared ambition is to bring this new technology to market within three years. In the past, such development phases have often taken much longer.”
The HoLa Project
MAN and ABB E-mobility are also working on the HoLa high-performance charging project funded by the German government. HoLa is thought to be the world’s first megawatt charging project with charging points at four locations along the A2 federal highway. Eventually, HoLa charging systems could serve as the basis for a nationwide charging network.
"We need to decarbonise road freight transport to achieve our climate targets,” Minister Wissing says. “To make this happen, we are focusing above all on the market ramp-up of climate-friendly commercial vehicles and the development of a corresponding high-performance charging infrastructure. The project we are supporting on high-performance charging for e-trucks on the A2 is providing important learnings. What is important now, is to get more e-trucks on the road quickly. The partnership between MAN and ABB shows that we are on the right track.”
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Source: MAN