Today, European truck companies are scrambling to launch their own long-haul electric heavy trucks. In October, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 was officially launched, and Scania announced the mass production of its 40 R/S and 45R/S series. It can be said that October is a month for European electric long-distance heavy trucks to usher in a climax.
On October 30, German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus announced that it had begun accepting orders for its eTGX and eTGS series electric heavy-duty trucks, marking the end of October for electric trucks. The MAN eTGX and eTGS models have a number of technical features, which Tiga will share with you in today's article.
In the image above, the left side shows the eTGS and the right side shows the eTGX. In MAN's current line of electric heavy-duty trucks, the two models are given different missions. First of all, the main purpose of the eTGS model is heavy-duty delivery trucks, mainly in the form of chassis vehicles to transport various types of heavy cargo. The main purpose of the eTGX model is long-distance transportation, which can be matched with a variety of trailers, and also provides chassis configurations to adapt to unique transportation forms such as exchange boxes.
By definition, the MAN eTGX and eTGS are standard "petrol-to-electric" models. The two models are based on the same vehicle platform as diesel trucks, and it is common practice in the industry to be transformed into electric trucks by retrofitting the powertrain. Components inherited from the diesel truck platform give the MAN eTGX and eTGS a high degree of versatility. At the same time, the large-scale cab and other configurations have broadened the use of eTGX and eTGS.
MAN has prepared different cabs for the eTGX and eTGS, both of which are inherited from the diesel version. The eTGS features a narrow-body cab with three different roof heights, which are compressed to make more room for the body. The eTGX features a wide-body cab and is also equipped with three different roof heights to provide comfort for the driver on long drives.
As a standard "petrol-to-electric" model, the MAN eTGX and eTGS eliminate the engine under the cab. In order to serve as a counterweight, MAN has concealed two battery packs under the cab. The rest of the battery packs are mounted on the side of the chassis and can be equipped with different numbers of battery packs as needed. The eTGX and eTGS are equipped with a minimum of three batteries and a maximum of six batteries, each with a capacity of 80 kWh, and a maximum vehicle capacity of 480 kWh.
Schematic diagram of the installation of the battery pack The entire chassis is crammed to the brim
The modular design of these battery packs allows them to be easily integrated anywhere on the body, providing more flexibility in bodywork builds. The batteries are developed and manufactured in-house by MAN and produced at MAN's Nuremberg plant. The outside of the battery is designed with a sturdy reinforced frame for greater protection. The newly developed fixing mechanism allows the battery pack to be quickly removed for easy maintenance and inspection. At the same time, MAN has optimized the battery formulation and prepared it for later battery recycling.
In terms of drive, the MAN eTGX and eTGS do not use the current fashionable integrated electric axle, but instead use a conventional central drive system. In response to the needs of the new era, MAN has developed a new central electric drive assembly for the eTGX and eTGS, which consists of an electric motor, inverter, gearbox and other components. The electric motor is available in three hp sections: 333 hp, 449 hp and 544 hp, with corresponding maximum torque of 800 Nm, 1150 Nm and 1250 Nm.
The electric motor is mated to the electric drive system gearbox developed by MAN and is available in 2- and 4-speed configurations. By combining different gear ratios, the central electric drive assembly adapts the MAN eTGX and eTGS to low- to high-speed conditions and connects them to conventional MAN axles. At the same time, the MAN eTGX and eTGS have a powerful energy recovery system that recupers the same power as the output power, helping to further extend the vehicle's range.
Compact central electric drive assembly
In order to improve the energy efficiency of the whole vehicle, MAN has carefully designed the vehicle thermal management system of eTGX and eTGS. The vehicle is equipped with three cooling systems, one for the temperature control of the battery pack, one for the cooling of the central electric drive system, and one for the environmental control of the cab. MAN connects these three cooling circuits to the heat pump system and the central radiator to distribute the heat and ensure comfort inside the cab while creating a better operating temperature for the battery and electric motor.
In terms of charging, MAN eTGX and eTGS currently support the combined CCS fast charging of the European standard, with a maximum charging power of 375 kW. The vehicle is equipped with two charging ports, one on the left and one on the left, and the installation position of the charging port can be flexibly selected according to needs to adapt to the different configurations of the charging station. With the support of the CCS combined fast charging system, the vehicle can achieve a daily range of 800 kilometers.
At the same time, the MCS megawatt fast charging system can also be installed on the MAN eTGX and eTGS, which can be optionally installed at the time of ordering, and is characterized by a unique inverted triangle interface. The initial MCS megawatt fast charging system will support 750 kilowatts (0.75 megawatts) of charging power, and then gradually increase to 1,000 kilowatts (1 megawatts).
In addition to the high-voltage circuitry used in the electric drive system, the MAN eTGX and eTGS are also equipped with a 24V low-voltage circuit system, which is responsible for driving the cabin air conditioning, vehicle lights, instrument panel and other equipment. Since the side of the chassis was filled with space, Mann placed the main components of the low-voltage circuit at the rear end of the frame, the battery pack hanging under the frame, and the shell with the lion logo on it, which was interesting.
Thanks to their modular design and central electric drive system, the MAN eTGX and eTGS achieve a lower load on the rear axle, resulting in a higher load load and increased ride comfort. The central electric drive system is hidden in the center of the frame, and the protection of the frame makes it even more reliable. At the same time, its installation position is more conventional, which can be more easily combined with power equipment such as hydraulic pumps.
Thanks to the modular battery design and the flexible chassis arrangement, the MAN eTGX is able to achieve a short wheelbase of 3.75 meters, which can be adapted to a wide range of full-size trailers. In addition, the saddle height of the MAN eTGX has been compressed, enabling it to tow a trailer with an internal height of 3 meters, enabling the transport of a "low-saddle tractor".
Once in the cab, the driver is familiar with the MAN eTGX and eTGS. After all, these two models are based on diesel trucks, and their interiors and handling methods are basically the same as those of diesel trucks, switching gears through the pocket gear, while also retaining the traditional mechanical key and twisting the power.
Of course, the theme inside the LCD instrument cluster has been modified to add a lot of information related to electric trucks, but the UI design is still similar to the diesel version. On top of this, the MAN eTGX and MAN eTGS have added a one-pedal mode, which can control vehicle acceleration and deceleration through a single accelerator pedal, so that the driver can be more adapted to the energy management strategy of the electric truck era, use the kinetic energy recovery system as much as possible, reduce the use of brakes, and then extend the range and reduce brake wear.
MAN eTGS 6x2 truck
MAN eTGX 4x2 tractor
The MAN eTGX and eTGS are available in different chassis shapes for different vehicle applications. The eTGS model is available in various chassis such as 4x2 and 6x2, while the eTGX is available in 4x2 tractor, 4x2 chassis, and 6x2 chassis. Each of these vehicles has a maximum gross weight of 44 tonnes, which is in line with the EU General Reregulation and brings a larger payload.
Payload has always been a weak point for electric trucks, and the MAN eTGX is no exception. Here, let's use a technical data sheet for reference. Even with the relaxed 44-ton gross weight limit, the eTGX 4x2 tractor has a maximum payload of only 11.2 tons, and the 6x2 chassis has a maximum payload of only 18.8 tons, which is much worse than that of conventional diesel trucks. However, it may also be out of consideration for battery life, by compressing the load weight to improve the battery life, to avoid the shortcomings of the battery capacity is small.
In terms of cruising range, the MAN eTGX uses the ideal power consumption to convert the cruising range, with an ideal power consumption of 0.8 kWh/km for delivery and 1.2 kWh/km for long-distance transportation.
It is undeniable that long-haul electric trucks are indeed one of the development directions of Oka in the future. With the official launch of the MAN eTGX and eTGS models, the long-distance electric trucks of the four major Eurokas, S, Ben, Wo and MAN, have arrived. MAN has already received 600 inquiries and the first 200 units will be delivered in 2024. With the increase in orders, the eTGX and eTGS will start mass production at the MAN plant in Munich starting in 2025. Thank you for reading this article! If you want to see more interesting and informative commercial vehicle content, don't forget to follow us!
Text: Heseaotter