Maximising the load capacity of an articulated lorry, whether in terms of weight or permitted volume, is in itself a measure to reduce the environmental impact of road transport. Fewer vehicles on the road mean lower fuel consumption and emissions. When combined with electric propulsion, sustainability improves even further. This concept underpins Dachser’s decision to purchase twelve Man eTgx electric road tractors equipped with low-liner fifth wheels.
The German company received the vehicles on 21 February 2025, intending to use them with high-volume double-deck semi-trailers capable of carrying up to 67 pallets. These semi-trailers are twenty centimetres taller than standard models, providing an additional eight cubic metres of space without exceeding the maximum height limit of four metres. "This is another step towards making electric trucks suitable for long-distance transport," explained Stefan Hohm, Dachser’s Chief Development Officer. "Since 2021, we have exclusively used trailers with increased internal height in our European groupage network, as they are more economical and resource-efficient than standard trailers. The ability to tow these trailers entirely electrically with the Man eTgx ultra-low-liner trucks helps us make logistics even more sustainable."
The twelve new electric tractors were collected directly from the Man Truck & Bus plant in Munich by their respective drivers and distributed across Dachser's sites throughout Germany. Müller Fresh Food Logistics, a Dutch company acquired by Dachser in 2023, also introduced a Man eTgx into its fleet in December 2024. Dachser has been integrating electric vehicles into its operations since 2015, starting with urban deliveries. The company operates three hubs dedicated to electric mobility in Germany, where it is testing the use of electric trucks for groupage transport, while also exploring integration with photovoltaic systems, energy storage solutions, and smart charging infrastructure.
