MAN now assembles its own electric truck batteries
In addition to the approximately 100 million euros already invested in the production plant that now opened its doors, the Traton brand says it will invest a further 150 million euros in the coming years ‘to further develop expertise in the field of battery technology and increase the depth of added value.’ That means, among other things, that in addition to the packs, which consist of several modules, the next generation of battery modules, which combine several battery cells, will also come from Nuremberg.
MAN already produced battery packs in Nuremberg before the battery assembly line was commissioned, albeit in small series and requiring significantly more manual labour. The first expansion stage will not only increase the level of automation but also the output: MAN can build up to 50,000 batteries per year at the new facilities. The new M50 building (the topping-out ceremony took place in November 2024) is designed for up to 100,000 batteries per year. The capacity will be expanded depending on the market situation.
However, this does not amount to 50,000 electric trucks: MAN’s new eTruck can be equipped with up to seven battery packs depending on customer requirements. The number of battery packs is decisive with regard to the range. In addition to the eTruck, the batteries manufactured in Nuremberg will also be used in MAN’s electric city buses and, in the future, electric coaches.
MAN assembles battery packs in three form factors. A particularly flat design is intended for the MAN Lion’s City E electric city bus, although the vehicle itself is manufactured in Poland. The other two formats are intended for the MAN eTGL, eTGS and eTGX electric trucks to cover the spectrum from twelve tonnes (eTGL) up to 50 tonnes. The start of series production of the MAN eTrucks eTGS and eTGX in Munich is planned for June this year.
MAN uses NMC cell chemistry (nickel-manganese-cobalt) in its batteries, which has been specially adapted to the operation of commercial vehicles. The battery management system (BMS) continuously monitors the condition of the cells during operation. In the event of an unforeseen incident, for example, it takes internal measures to ensure a safe condition. In case of an accident, the BMS immediately disconnects the battery from the rest of the vehicle (high-voltage emergency shutdown). It also uses an intelligent heating and cooling system to keep the battery cells in an optimum temperature range at all times.
However, MAN will not finance the announced investment of 150 million euros in the next expansion stage entirely by itself. Around 18 million euros will come from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and the Free State of Bavaria. In addition, the Free State of Bavaria will provide around 30 million euros in funding for further development and research into battery technology at MAN’s Nuremberg site. ‘These funds will be used for research in areas such as battery assembly, cell chemistry and ageing as well as battery safety,’ says MAN. The expansion will create a total of around 400 jobs in the field of battery technology in Nuremberg.
“Today is a historic day for MAN. With the start of battery production, the company that invented the diesel engine is entering a new era,” said MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp. We are very proud of what we have created here in Nuremberg and what will continue to be created. Today we announced another milestone in the transformation towards climate-friendly drives: MAN will invest a further 150 million euros in the expansion of battery production for future battery generations in Nuremberg.”
“With a state-of-the-art site policy and great cooperation between management, works council, employees and politicians, MAN has successfully transformed itself from a former site for pure diesel engines into a state-of-the-art battery production site for electric trucks,” added Bavaria’s Minister President Markus Söder (CSU). “This strengthens the location, secures and creates jobs and international competitiveness.”
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