CEO of Man Trucks Predicts Three-Year Payback Period for Electric Semi-Truck Investment (*)
In a significant development for the European transportation industry, MAN Trucks has begun series production of its eTruck electric semi in July. The production line, capable of building up to 100 trucks per day with either diesel or battery-electric power, marks a major step towards a greener future.
Alexander Vlaskamp, the CEO of MAN Trucks, is optimistic about the eTruck's potential. He claims that an electric semi truck can pay for itself in less than three years, a bold assertion that could revolutionise the industry.
The cost-effectiveness of the eTruck is partly due to the lower electricity costs for charging commercial trucks. While the average price of electricity for charging commercial trucks is currently 45 to 50 cents per kWh, Vlaskamp proposes a reduced price between €0.20 and €0.30/kWh.
Incentives in the EU also play a crucial role in making the eTruck a financially viable option. Incentives include up to 80% of vehicle purchase price subsidy in Austria, up to 32% subsidy in Belgium, and government incentives covering 30-60% of the up-front cost difference in Ireland and Norway. In the EU, incentives can help the eTruck pay for itself in as little as 2.5 years.
Vlaskamp has an innovative solution to address the issue of charging infrastructure, which he believes is lagging in Europe. He suggests taking half of annual toll revenues generated by commercial trucks and funneling it directly into DC fast charging. This would not only improve the charging infrastructure but also ensure that the costs are shared among the commercial truck users.
Germany and other European countries like France and the Netherlands currently offer some of the most comprehensive subsidies for electric trucks. These subsidies include funding for charging infrastructure and purchase incentives. For example, Baden-Württemberg supports building a network of public charging points with up to 4 million euros per project. Germany also plans differentiated road tolls from 2026 favoring low-emission trucks and imposes a CO₂ charge of about 200 € per ton to reduce diesel emissions.
However, there are concerns about the long-term viability of subsidies for electric semi trucks. MJE questions whether these subsidies will be sustainable in the long run and suggests gradually increasing fees on diesel vehicles due to their particulate pollution. MJE also notes the high cost of electricity in Europe and suggests using solar panels for self-generation to reduce electricity costs.
Despite these concerns, MAN Trucks has already secured 700 orders for the eTruck and expects to hit 1,000 by year's end. This strong demand indicates a growing interest in electric semi trucks and a willingness to invest in a greener future.
The challenge, however, is selling the eTruck and proving that the higher upfront cost pays off with a lower total cost of ownership. The key issue, according to Vlaskamp, is the charging infrastructure, which is lagging in Europe. Addressing this issue will be crucial in making electric semi trucks a mainstream choice in the transportation industry.
In conclusion, the eTruck presents a promising solution for the European transportation industry. With its lower operating costs, government incentives, and growing demand, it could be a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.
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