MAN Begins Series Production of eTrucks in Munich, Paving the Way for Electric Freight in Europe

German commercial vehicle giant MAN Truck & Bus has officially kicked off series production of its electric trucks at its main Munich plant, marking a major milestone in the company's nearly 270-year history. This new phase in production seamlessly integrates battery-electric trucks alongside traditional diesel models on the same assembly line, a first for the brand.

According to CEO Alexander Vlaskamp, this is a "historic turning point" for MAN, as the integrated production model enables the plant to adapt quickly to customer demand without requiring separate facilities. The Munich factory can produce up to 100 trucks per day, with each unit taking about eight hours, whether electric or diesel.

The MAN eTruck is built with a modular electric architecture, replacing the usual combustion engine setup with a "power pack" beneath the cab. This contains two high-capacity battery packs and associated high-voltage systems. More than 5,000 workers have undergone specialized training to handle the transition to eMobility.

The company has invested heavily in electrification, including €400 million in R&D and €1 billion by 2030 to electrify its European operations. The Munich and Nuremberg plants are central to this initiative, with the latter responsible for battery production.

The MAN eTruck has already undergone extensive real-world testing, with 200 pre-production models covering over 2 million km in customer trials. Some vehicles even managed daily routes of up to 850 km, with an average consumption of just 97 kWh per 100 km — a strong figure for vehicles in the heavy-duty segment.

Key specs include:

Battery Capacity: Up to 534 kWh (740 kWh with optional 7th pack)

Range: Up to 500 km standard; 740 km with extended pack

Configuration: 3–6 modular NMC battery packs

Product Range: 12 to 50 tonnes

Lead Model: eTruck Ultra-Lowliner with 3 m trailer internal height

The eTruck Ultra-Lowliner has already secured around 700 orders, especially from logistics partners in Wolfsburg and Bavaria. Its low fifth-wheel height and extended wheelbase make it ideal for automotive parts transport.

MAN is already a market leader in electric city buses, with over 2,500 units in operation across Europe. These buses are built in Poland, and now share the same battery packs as the eTruck series, boosting scalability and efficiency.

With electric trucks and buses gaining traction, MAN is positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s commercial EV transition, aiming to deliver 1,000 eTrucks by the end of 2025.