How to Charge a MAN eTGL Electric Truck

MAN eTGL Charging Guide

Charging your electric truck efficiently is key to maximizing uptime and reducing operating costs. The MAN eTGL—a compact, all-electric truck designed for urban and regional transport—offers impressive range, fast-charging capabilities, and a zero-emission drive. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about charging the MAN eTGL, from technical specs and charging times to troubleshooting and cost-saving strategies.

Whether you're a fleet operator, commercial driver, or fleet manager, this article will help you make the most of your MAN eTGL’s charging capabilities.

Understanding the MAN eTGL’s Battery and Charging Options

The MAN eTGL electric truck is built with efficiency in mind, offering a smart combination of battery capacity, rapid charging technology, and advanced thermal management. Knowing the ins and outs of its charging specs is essential to optimizing your route planning and minimizing downtime.

Battery Options and Charging Times

Equipped with two integrated battery packs delivering a total of up to 160 kWh of usable energy, the MAN eTGL offers a single-charge range of up to 235 kilometers (about 146 miles)—ideal for dense urban routes and regional distribution.

The highlight of this model is its 250 kW fast-charging capability, allowing for a full recharge in approximately 40 minutes. This lets you charge during loading or driver break periods, maximizing vehicle availability throughout the day.

Battery ConfigurationUsable CapacityMax RangeFast Charging Time2 Battery PacksUp to 160 kWhUp to 235 km~40 minutes (250 kW DC)

Connector Type

The MAN eTGL uses the CCS2 (Combined Charging System Type 2) connector, which is the European standard for high-power commercial vehicle charging. This makes it compatible with the majority of public and depot-based charging stations across the region.

Charging Power

• Max Charging Rate: 250 kW (DC)
• Charging Standard: CCS2
• Estimated Charging Speed: Up to 4 kWh per minute in the CC phase

With this setup, even short charging sessions can meaningfully extend your daily range.

Charging Profile: Understanding the CC and CV Phases

Electric truck batteries follow a specific two-phase charging process that balances speed and battery health.

Constant Current (CC) Phase

In the Constant Current (CC) phase, the charger supplies a high, steady current to the battery. This is the fastest part of the process and typically continues until the battery reaches around 80% of its capacity. The MAN eTGL’s thermal system ensures safe and efficient charging during this phase, even under heavy load conditions.

Constant Voltage (CV) Phase

Once the 80% mark is reached, charging switches to the Constant Voltage (CV) phase. Here, the voltage remains steady, and the current gradually drops. This slower process prevents overcharging and prolongs the battery's life by reducing internal stress and heat buildup. It’s recommended to only fully charge the battery when longer ranges are required, and otherwise utilize top-up charging during breaks.

How to Start Charging the MAN eTGL

Charging the MAN eTGL is designed to be simple and quick, whether you're at a fleet depot or using a public station.

1. Locate a CCS2-compatible charging station, ideally with 250 kW output.
2. Position the vehicle so the charge port is easily accessible and safely within cable reach.
3. Turn off the ignition and secure the truck.
4. Insert the charging plug firmly into the CCS2 port.
5. Authenticate if needed, using a fleet card, RFID, or charging app.
6. Start the charging session and monitor status via the charger or the truck’s digital display.
7. End the session when sufficient charge is reached, or let it auto-complete.

The MAN eTGL’s digital cockpit clearly displays charging progress, battery status, and estimated time remaining.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with advanced systems, occasional issues may arise during charging. Here are some tips to address them quickly:

• Charger not initiating: Ensure the cable is fully inserted and the connector is compatible. Some public chargers require user authentication before initiating the session.
• Slow charging rate: This may be due to a low-power charger, high battery temperature, or entering the CV phase. Switching stations or charging earlier in the day may help.
• Charging interrupted: Check for loose connections or software messages on the charger or vehicle screen. Restart the process or switch stations if necessary.
• Temperature warnings: Allow the vehicle’s battery preconditioning system to warm or cool the pack before charging.

Charging Time Overview

The actual time to charge your MAN eTGL depends on the charger power and battery state of charge. It is between 40 minutes and 8 hours.

Understanding Charging Costs and Savings

Charging Costs (Example: Europe)

Assuming an average electricity rate of €0.18 per kWh for fleet operations:

• Cost for a full 160 kWh charge = €28.80
• Cost per kilometer (0.69 kWh/km) = €0.12/km
• Cost per mile (1.11 kWh/mile) = €0.20/mile

Diesel Comparison

Diesel trucks typically consume fuel at a cost of €0.60–€0.78 per mile, depending on fuel efficiency and prices. The MAN eTGL offers substantial savings here.

Example Savings Over 160,000 kilometers

Over a driving distance of 160,000 kilometers, the MAN eTGL delivers significant cost advantages compared to a conventional diesel truck. While a diesel vehicle could incur around €69,000 in fuel expenses over this distance, the MAN eTGL would cost approximately €20,000 to charge. This results in potential savings of about €49,000, highlighting the strong financial benefits of switching to electric—particularly for fleets operating in urban and regional delivery routes.

These savings increase further when considering maintenance reduction, subsidies, and tax incentives for electric vehicles.

Additional Considerations

• Urban Emission Zones: With zero emissions, the MAN eTGL allows seamless access to low-emission and congestion-restricted areas.
• Depot Planning: Consider equipping your depot with 250 kW chargers to optimize fleet turnaround times.
• Battery Preconditioning: In colder climates, use the vehicle’s thermal system to warm the battery before fast charging.
• Fleet Integration: Use MAN’s digital services like MAN eManager to monitor vehicle performance and manage charging schedules efficiently.

Conclusion

The MAN eTGL electric truck offers a compelling solution for city and regional freight operations, blending powerful performance with sustainable, cost-effective technology. Its fast-charging capabilities, efficient battery system, and low operating costs make it a strong contender for any fleet aiming to modernize.

Understanding how to charge the MAN eTGL effectively allows you to maximize range, reduce charging downtime, and unlock substantial savings over time. Whether you’re operating a single vehicle or a full fleet, this guide will help ensure you're charging smart—and driving smarter.

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