MAN Truck & Bus has demonstrated megawatt charging on an electric truck for the first time.

The MAN eTruck was charged with more than 700kW and 1000A at an MCS charging station from ABB E-mobility, one of the first megawatt charging points in Germany..

The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a new charging standard that enables super-fast charging for heavy-duty electric vehicles (up to 3.75MW, compared to a maximum of 400kW with CCS).

MCS chargers are intended to provide a fast charge for an electric truck or coach during the driver’s legally prescribed driving break. The new technology complements existing depot charging solutions, which provide a slower overnight charge.

“With MCS, sustainable long-distance transport with trucks and buses will be possible in the near future. We have proven that today. Even if we are still showing a prototype here: With the new MCS standard, we have not only doubled the amperage but also the charging capacity within just a few years,” said Michael Halbherr, CEO of ABB E-mobility.

“To achieve the energy transition in transport, we need solutions that are sustainable, reliable and economical. To achieve this, we need to think integratively and work together. Today’s demonstration is also the result of close collaboration between MAN and ABB E-mobility and the entire industry,” he said.

Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, reiterated his call for more speed in the expansion of the charging infrastructure during the premiere of megawatt charging: “The goal is 30,000 MCS charging points in Europe by 2030, around 4000 of them in Germany.

“We put one of the first charging points into operation today. We don’t have much time left to set it up,” he said.

“The electric trucks are available, megawatt charging is working. We now need clear signals from politicians, not least to build trust among our customers in favour of electrification. We now need to build and scale up the infrastructure quickly.”

The international standardisation process for the Megawatt Charging System is expected to be completed this year.