Dachser has expanded its electric fleet with 12 MAN eTGX ultra-low-liner electric trucks, which will operate across its German network.
These vehicles, with a range of around 500km, are designed for high-volume transport, towing mega-trailers with an interior height of 3m and a capacity of 67 Euro pallets. The loading area, positioned just under 100cm above the road, maximises cargo space.
Dachser’s integration of ultra-low-liner electric trucks aligns with its strategy of using trailers with an extra 20cm of interior height to improve efficiency in long-haul transport.
“We have relied entirely on higher-capacity trailers in our European groupage network since 2021, as they are more economical and resource-efficient than standard ones on long journeys,” said Stefan Hohm, chief development officer at Dachser.
The MAN eTGX ultra-low-liner has a fifth wheel height of 950mm and a short 3.75m wheelbase, accommodating maximum battery capacity while remaining compatible with mega-trailers. Even with the shortest wheelbase configuration, the truck maintains full battery capacity, ensuring maximum range without compromising cargo space.
Each MAN eTGX features modular battery options, ranging from four to six packs, with power levels of 335kW (449hp) or 405kW (544hp). The 500km range makes them suitable for regional and medium-haul operations. They come with CCS charging technology (up to 375kW) as standard, while an optional megawatt charging system (MCS) will enable charging at up to 1MW once the infrastructure is available.
Dachser will primarily charge these eTGX trucks at its logistics centres using depot-based chargers, as the public charging network for battery-electric trucks in Germany is still under development.
MAN expects MCS technology to be ready by the end of 2025, depending on the finalisation of the ISO/IEC standard, anticipated by mid-2025. Currently, CCS charging at 350kW allows a 480kWh battery to charge from 10 to 80 percent in about one hour, while MCS at 750 kW will reduce this time to under 45 minutes, making it suitable for integration into statutory driver breaks.”
“Now that major logistics companies like Dachser are gradually introducing electric trucks, the transition to zero-emission powertrains in logistics is becoming a reality,” said Dr Frederik Zohm, executive board member for research & development at MAN Truck & Bus.
The 12 vehicles were funded under the KsNI funding programme, which covered up to 80% of the additional purchase cost compared to diesel alternatives. While MAN estimates that an eTGX currently costs between two and two-and-a-half times more than a diesel equivalent, the manufacturer expects electric trucks to achieve a noticeably better total cost of ownership (TCO) after three to four years, depending on electricity costs, purchase price differences and operational savings such as lower toll costs for zero-emission vehicles.
Dachser has used battery-electric vehicles since 2015 and operates three e-mobility testing sites in Germany to assess electric trucks for groupage logistics. These locations also serve as research hubs, focusing on photovoltaic systems, battery storage, intelligent charging and infrastructure development to optimise fleet operations.
With the introduction of the latest MAN eTGX trucks, the company’s European electric truck fleet now exceeds 120 vehicles.
