Elflein relies on MAN eTGX for sustainable transport in the BMW Group logistics network

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“Our corporate strategy of technological openness is also reflected in BMW Group Transport Logistics. For this reason, we are consistently driving forward pioneering logistics projects and have established the BMW Group Strategy for Reduced Logistics Emissions. Among alternative drive systems, e-trucks offer significant potential for reducing emissions in the near future. We very much welcome the fact that low-liner e-trucks are now being produced in series, as they are essential for automotive logistics,” says Michael Nikolaides, Head of Production Network and Logistics BMW Group. “The current e-truck pilot in BMW inter-plant transport between our locations has shown that even a round trip of more than 700 km is already possible without any issues.”

As an ultra-low-liner, the MAN eTGX impresses with a fifth-wheel height of just 950 mm, a short wheelbase of 3.75 meters and a maximum battery capacity enabling a range of up to 500 kilometers. This makes it ideal for automotive logistics, where a maximum interior load height of up to three meters is crucial. Thanks to its modular battery concept with four, five or six battery packs and power outputs of 449 or 544 hp, the eTruck can be flexibly adapted to different transport requirements. In addition to standard CCS charging technology with a charging capacity of up to 375 kW, the MAN eTGX is also available with the new MCS standard, enabling charging capacities of up to one megawatt and allowing rapid interim charging during driving breaks.

Transport companies also benefit from MAN's 360 degree eMobility Consulting when transitioning to electric mobility: The consulting services includes customer-specific analyses of vehicle usage and charging infrastructure requirements. Through partnerships with charging infrastructure providers, MAN also supports customers in setting up charging infrastructure. In addition, service contracts and financing solutions tailored to electric mobility are available, alongside numerous digital services for operating the new electric trucks. These include the MAN eReadyCheck, which allows customers to assess whether their delivery routes can be driven fully electrically, as well as the MAN Charge & Go charging service including a charging card, that enables simple, consolidated charging planning and billing for international routes.

“With the additional MAN eTGX in our fleet, we are entering the next phase of electrification. Our all-electric fleet already consists of eleven e-trucks. Our goal is clear: We want to continuously increase the share of zero-emission vehicles. For us, sustainability is not a trend, but part of our corporate culture. That is why we are not only investing in alternative drive systems, but also in our own charging infrastructure and green energy. We are convinced that the future of logistics is electric — and we are actively helping to shape it,” says Rüdiger Elflein, managing director of ELFLEIN.

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Almost 360 km simple, 50 Trips a day and potential savings of 3,000 tons of CO_2. — together with MAN and the BMW Group, the logistics company Elflein is driving the sustainable transformation of automotive logistics forward. On April 29, Elflein's MAN eTruck was tested in inter-plant transport operations between the BMW Group plants in Leipzig and Regensburg.

During the test drive, the MAN eTGX achieved an average energy consumption of just 75 kWh per 100 km on this route. The route between Regensburg and Leipzig - and back - is currently driven 25 times a day by Elflein using diesel and bio-LNG trucks. Full electrification of the resulting 50 daily one-way trips could save up to 3,000 tons of CO₂ annually. This calculation is based on a CO₂ reduction of 251 kg per route (360 km), extrapolated to 50 trips per day and five operating days per week, excluding the use of bio-LNG.

A gradual transition to electric vehicles would therefore lead to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. Charging infrastructure for the eTrucks is already in place, including at Elflein´s transport site in Leipzig, with additional infrastructure planned at other ELFLEIN locations along the route.

“Once again, the MAN eTGX has demonstrated its absolute practical and long-distance transport operations in real-world use with ELFLEIN. In BMW's production logistics, the ultra-low-liner variant was also able to demonstrate its unique selling proposition in the market by enabling fully electric transport with an interior height of up to three meters - and with a remarkably low energy consumption of 75 kWh per 100 km. This once again proves, that switching to zero-emission vehicles is already easy today!”, says Dennis Affeld, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus Germany.

Rüdiger Elflein, managing partner of ELFLEIN adds: “By integrating the first MAN eTGX into our fleet, we are taking another significant step towards zero-emission logistics. The test run on April 29 impressively demonstrated the capabilities of modern electric trucks and showed that concerns about range is unfounded. In logistics, routes must already be planned meticulously and in great detail — integrating a charging stop is therefore no problem at all. Our goal is to continuously expand the electrification of our fleet and provide our customers with sustainable transport solutions at the highest level.”

Elflein has been a reliable partner of the BMW Group in inter-plant transport for many years. Every day, the company carries out national and international transports to various BMW locations. A wide range of goods is transported, including body components, sheet metal parts and classified dangerous goods. The high transport frequency, the requirements for just-in-time and just-in-sequence deliveries and the careful handling of complex materials make inter-plant transport one of the most demanding discipline in logistics — a challenge that Elflein meets with maximum precision and innovative strength.

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