Duvenbeck’s use of MAN eTGX trucks will contribute to VW Group’s goTOzero impact logistics programme which aims to reduce CO2 emissions on road transport
Volkswagen stands to benefit from cleaner inbound logistics at its plants in Germany following the announcement that transport provider Duvenbeck plans to put up to 120 electric trucks supplied by MAN Truck and Bus into service for the carmaker in the Rhine-Ruhr and Benelux regions by 2026. The first etruck went into service earlier in December bringing parts to VW’s Wolfsburg plant.
According to Simon Motter, head of Volkswagen Group Logistics the use of the MAN etrucks is contributes to VW Group’s goTOzero impact logistics programme. “In the long term, the use of electric trucks is the most important lever for reducing CO2 emissions in road transportation,” he said. “Where the strategically prioritised use of rail with green electricity is not possible, for example due to a lack of rail connections, [battery EV] trucks with green electricity are favoured.”
Motter also pointed to the efficacy of the etrucks in multimodal transport plans, supplementing long-distance rail deliveries by cutting emissions on first and final mile connections, as well as on short and medium-distance routes.
In an interview with Automotive Logistics earlier in 2024 Motter talked in more detail about VW Group’s sustainable freight transport strategy, and the importance of intermodal transport and interoperability across logistics modes. That includes etrucks, with Duvenbeck one of the first among several logistics partners to implement them to serve VW Group Logistics across its material logistics routes.
Earlier this year Audi started using an intermodal trailer-to-train service working with Duvenbeck and Helrom for the movement of materials between its Ingostadt and Neckarsulm plants in Germany and its Györ plant in Hungary.
High-volume trailers
The Ultra Low Liner eTGX semitrailer tractor is specially developed for the loading volume requirements of automotive logistics, according to MAN. “No other series-produced electric semitrailer tractor can pull trailers with an interior height of three metres,” said Friedrich Baumann, chief sales and customer solutions officers at MAN Truck and Bus. “This makes it the ideal choice for transports with high volume requirements. We are delighted to have two strong partners at our side, Duvenbeck and Volkswagen, to bring this innovation to the road.”
The eTGX trucks offer a range of 500km with a standard combined charging capacity up to 375 kW, or with new Megawatt Charging power up to 1MW, which enables even faster intermediate charging during driver breaks.
The MAN etrucks are being deployed at Duvenbeck by TIP Group, a commercial vehicle rental company and service provider for the transport and logistics industry, which is concentrating on zero-emission vehicle rental.
To support its logistics customers MAN also provides an eMobility Consulting service that provides advice on switching to electromobility, including customer-specific analyses of vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure requirements. The truckmaker said its range of services also includes the provision of charging infrastructure itself through partnerships with charging infrastructure suppliers.
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