The latest test of MAN Trucks' eTruck electric semi has taken place at the Kempower MCS Live Winter Days 2026 event in Norrköping, Sweden. The event saw the megawatt charging capabilities of the eTruck put to the test in brutal, blistering cold weather conditions. This is an important step for the company as it continues to prove the value of its electric semi trucks to potential customers. By showcasing the performance of the megawatt charging standard (MCS) in extreme temperatures, MAN Trucks aims to demonstrate the lower total cost of ownership of its eTruck models.
The eTruck electric semi is built on a flexible assembly line capable of producing up to 100 trucks per day with either diesel or battery-electric power. With production underway, the focus now shifts to selling the trucks and proving their benefits over traditional diesel-powered models. The megawatt charging capability is an essential aspect of this process, as it allows drivers to charge their trucks quickly and efficiently, even in freezing temperatures.
The demonstration was made possible by the Kempower Mega Satellite system, which supports currents of up to 1,500 AMs and delivers a power output of up to 1.2 megawatts through a liquid-cooled plug. Despite the cold, the MAN Trucks successfully charged at 750 kW, which is the trucks' current maximum charge rate. This achievement highlights the robustness of MAN's hardware and software integration.
The fully electric truck models MAN eTGX and MAN eTGS can now be ordered with the MCS option, with production set to begin in the second quarter of 2026. This marks an important milestone for MAN Trucks as it continues to expand its range of electric semi trucks. The company's focus on electrification is expected to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
The competition in the electric semi market is fierce, with established brands like Tesla and new entrants like Volvo and Renault vying for market share. However, MAN Trucks' ability to produce multiple trucks per day may give it an edge over its competitors. The company's production capacity is expected to increase significantly as it ramps up production of its eTruck models.
Tesla has been a major player in the electric semi market since its concept was unveiled, but its truck allegedly charges at the full 1.2 MW – significantly faster than the MAN unit. However, with MAN Trucks now capable of producing as many electric semi trucks in a single day as Tesla has in the last eight years, it's hard to imagine the embattled electric car manufacturer catching up.
The demonstration of MAN Trucks' megawatt charging capability is an important step towards proving the value of its eTruck models. By showcasing the performance of this technology, the company aims to demonstrate the lower total cost of ownership of its trucks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. This is a crucial aspect of the transition to electric vehicles.
The benefits of electric semi trucks extend beyond environmental concerns, as they also offer significant cost savings for drivers. By reducing fuel costs and minimizing downtime, electric semi trucks can provide a lower total cost of ownership compared to traditional diesel-powered models. MAN Trucks' eTruck models are expected to be highly competitive in this regard.
As the transportation sector continues to shift towards electrification, companies like MAN Trucks will play a crucial role in driving innovation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The demonstration of MAN Trucks' megawatt charging capability is an important step towards proving the value of its eTruck models and expanding its range of electric semi trucks.
The demonstration showcases the robustness of MAN's megawatt charging standard (MCS) technology, which is crucial for proving the trucks' lower total cost of ownership.
