MAN Truck & Bus and ABB E-mobility: What Does it Take to Make the Electrification of Transport Happen

Transport is vital for a modern economy, ensuring the movement of people and goods. However, the industry faces the dual challenge of achieving climate targets while maintaining Europe’s global competitiveness.

In Berlin, last Friday Michael Bueltmann, Managing Director ABB E-mobility GmbH, Christoph Schuler, Head of Public Affairs MAN Truck & Bus SE, Kim Kohlmeyer, Head of Berlin Office at MAN Truck & Bus SE, and Johannes Pallasch, Head of the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, discussed potential solutions to tackle this challenge in Germany. The consensus: the key to successfully and economically decarbonizing commercial vehicles lies in their electrification. 

The industry is driving the decarbonization of transport and mobility through new technology and solutions. While the technology already exists—both in terms of vehicles and charging infrastructure, the technology alone is not enough. Decarbonizing transport is a joint effort.

Though, to facilitate the transition for customers and accelerate market adoption, political support and a forward-looking, transformative industrial policy is needed as well. Together, MAN and ABB E-mobility therefor outlined five key demands:

1. Secured funding and fast implementation of the truck charging network: The truck fast-charging network must be prioritized and fully funded, with tenders starting in 2025.
2. Overriding public interest: For businesses transitioning their fleets, charging infrastructure is critical. Charging infrastructure manufacturers are ready to deliver—so is the commercial vehicle industry. The development of charging infrastructure should be designated as an "overriding public interest."
3. Proactive grid expansion: By 2030, Europe will need at least 50,000 public charging points—10,000 of them in Germany. For this, grid expansion must be planned proactively, with suitable areas identified and developed. Faster and easier approval procedures are needed to ensure the necessary grid connections for both public and private charging in industrial zones.
4. Investment offensive through truck toll revenues: Charging infrastructure and purchase incentives for e-trucks must be reliably and securely financed. Truck toll funds should support charging infrastructure and e-truck incentives to ensure market confidence. Additional tax incentives such as special depreciation allowances for e-trucks, leasing subsidies, reductions in grid fees, and lower electricity taxes will help logistics companies with cost planning and provide investment security. Instead of short-term activities, stable incentives and subsidies are needed to ensure long-term planning and investment security.
5. Boosting depot charging: To decarbonize logistics fleets, the establishment of in-house charging infrastructure for transport operators is crucial. However, construction is costly, and approval processes can take years. Financial support is therefore needed, particularly for small transport companies, along with accelerated planning and permitting procedures.

It was an engaging and insightful discussion for all parties involved, emphasizing the shared commitment to accelerating the electrification of transport. We look forward to keeping this dialogue ongoing and collaborating to drive meaningful progress in the industry.