MAN starts series production of MCS-ready electric trucks, paving the way for megawatt charging
MAN has become the first European truck manufacturer to start series production of Megawatt Charging System (MCS)-ready electric trucks. Although public MCS infrastructure is still under development, the move ensures new eTGX and eTGS models will be ready to exploit ultra-fast charging as soon as the network expands.
MAN Truck & Bus has started series production of electric trucks equipped for the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), becoming the first European manufacturer to deliver factory-built heavy-duty vehicles ready for the next-generation charging standard. The first MCS-equipped eTruck rolled off the assembly line at the company’s Munich plant, where electric and diesel trucks are produced side by side on the same mixed production line.
The milestone marks an important step in the industrialisation of megawatt charging. Until now, MCS has largely been confined to pilot projects and demonstration programmes involving truck manufacturers, charging suppliers and logistics operators. By integrating the technology into series production, MAN is effectively preparing its customers for the gradual rollout of public MCS infrastructure across Europe.
750 kW charging for long-haul operations
The Megawatt Charging System will enable charging capacities of up to 750 kW on the MAN eTGX and eTGS, dramatically reducing charging times compared with today’s CCS standard. According to MAN, the technology will make it possible to recharge during mandatory driver breaks, allowing daily operating ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres without extending working hours.
Initially, all MCS-ready trucks will continue to use conventional CCS charging because public megawatt chargers are only beginning to appear. However, once MCS infrastructure becomes available, the vehicles will simply require activation of the technology rather than hardware modifications, protecting operators’ investment while accelerating the transition to higher-power charging.
MAN’s announcement also sends a broader signal to the industry. As more manufacturers introduce MCS-compatible vehicles, infrastructure providers gain greater confidence to invest in megawatt charging corridors, helping break the long-standing “chicken-and-egg” dilemma between vehicle availability and charging infrastructure. The company’s decision therefore represents not only a product milestone but also an important step towards enabling battery-electric long-haul transport at scale.
