MAN puts electric trucks to work

MAN Truck and Bus is delivering fully electric trucks to nine partner companies from the Austrian Council for Sustainable Logistics (CNL).

It represents another milestone on the road to electrified urban transport for the German commercial vehicle manufacturer.

CNL is an initiative with 18 of Austria’s largest retail, logistics and manufacturing firms which have united to take steps forward in the area of sustainable logistics.

The test vehicles, based on MAN TGMs, are designed specifically for each customer and prepared for authentic practical testing.

During the test drives, which will last for several months, the participating companies will use the vehicles in regular logistics operations.

MAN will incorporate the feedback and recommendations gained in the CNL trial into the mass development of its electric trucks.

The companies will test the vehicles under authentic conditions in their specific logistic and transport operations.

CNL member companies include Gebrüder Weiss, Hofer, Magna Steyr, Metro, Quehenberger Logistics, Rewe, Schachinger Logistik, Spar and Stieglbrauerei.

Man Truck & Bus executive board chairman Joachim Drees says he is impressed with the CNL joint project.

“The time has come, the first MAN electric trucks are on the road – in everyday use by our customers. From now on, they deliver, for example, drinks, food, or vehicle parts – local emissions-free and almost silent.

“The handover of the first eTrucks is not only a special moment for the cooperation project with the CNL, but also for the 260-year company history of MAN,” Drees says.

CNL spokesman Max Schachinger says the project marks an important step in ending carbon emission transport.

“We know and experience directly the development of climate and environment and we want all the more livable cities.

“Beyond the steps of each individual, we connect to an even greater whole and put the first E-trucks together with MAN in action.

“The end of the fossil age is ushered in and the future of sustainable mobility begins today,” Schachinger says.