MAN and transport company Dettendorfer will run a pilot project in July and August. The project will see a MAN eTGX electric truck demonstrating emission-free night-time logistics on a four-week trial run. As explained by MAN, “thanks to the existing exemption from the night-time driving ban on the A12 (Inntal motorway), electric trucks are allowed to drive at night, unlike diesel trucks“.

The aim of the project is to ease traffic flows on the Brenner Pass, avoid congestion, reduce CO2 and noise emissions, and increase security of supply – especially during the holiday season. As stated by the Munich-based truck maker, with the MAN eTruck, which has been in series production in Munich since June 2025, “daily ranges of up to 800 km can be easily achieved with one intermediate charge in both winter and summer”.

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The MAN eTGX electric truck at the Brenner Pass

Thanks to the aforementioned exemption, the fully electric truck can operate cross-border at night on the entire route between Germany and Italy – for example, from Munich to Verona or from Rosenheim via the Brenner Pass to Bolzano and back.

MAN also highlights the possible savings in terms of tolls. Currently, the 100% toll exemption currently applies exclusively in Germany. As we know, EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas recently recommended extending the toll reduction for electric trucks, which was previously limited to the end of 2025, until mid-2031. The aim is to increase investment security for logistics companies and accelerate the switch to e-mobility. Different rules apply in other countries: on the A13 in Austria, e-trucks are charged up to 75 per cent less toll, especially at night. In Italy, on the other hand, there are only marginal differences in tolls between diesel and e-trucks on the route via the Brenner Pass to Bolzano. 

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Comments from the partners: MAN and Dettendorfer

“For us, it’s clear: if we want to make the shift to climate-friendly logistics, we need solutions that work in everyday life – across national borders and without compromising on service,” commented Georg Dettendorfer, Managing Director of Spedition Dettendorfer.

“Electric heavy-duty logistics is revolutionising road freight transport – even under the most demanding topographical conditions that prevail in alpine regions. With this project, we are demonstrating that fully electric trucks are not only practical, but also set new standards in efficiency, sustainability and traffic control thanks to features such as recuperation and the possibility of night-time transport. Politics and industry must work hand in hand to make emission-free logistics a reality across the board,” added Frederik Zohm, Executive Board Member for Research & Development at MAN Truck & Bus

Highlights

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