MAN has launched a series of e-Truck road trials in partnership with DPD, which the manufacturer says will mark a significant step forward in sustainable freight transport.
At the centre of these trials is the eTGX tractor, with a range of up to 800 km and an ultra-fast charging capacity of up to 750 kW.
The vehicle will undergo a comprehensive induction and driver training programme, based at DPD’s Hinckley Hub 4, before taking the road for real-world operational testing, towing a standard trailer on a dedicated DPD route.
In addition, MAN and DPD are collaborating to develop a configuration optimised for double-decker trailers, with the first tailored vehicle expected to enter testing later this year.
Since the beginning of 2025 MAN has deployed more than 100 electric HGVs with fleets across Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.
These trucks have joined logistics companies including Duvenbeck, DB Schenker, Dachser, Dräxlmaier and Koopman.
The electric trucks have so far covered around 310,000 miles, saving about 400 tonnes of CO2 in this short period.
Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, DPDgroup UK said: “Electric HGVs have the potential to become a viable solution in the future, and we now believe we can get the configuration we need to maintain our double decker trailer fleet, which has enabled us to reduce the overall number of HGVs we put on the road for many years.
“We are keen to help to develop the electric trucks that can work for us in the real world.”
