ENGWE launches E26 3.0, an electric bicycle with two motors, 2,000 W, and up to 161 km range

MAN has updated its heavy electric truck, the eTGX, designed for long-distance operations, incorporating higher capacity batteries, a more efficient regenerative braking system, and aerodynamic modifications.

In its most robust version, this model can travel up to 720 km with a load, positioning it among the longest-range electric trucks in Europe. The public launch of this vehicle will take place at the IAA Transportation fair in Hanover.

The main innovation lies in the battery modules. They have been enhanced, moving from 89 kWh gross and 80 kWh net to 92 kWh gross and 88 kWh net, using nickel-manganese-cobalt cells manufactured by the automaker itself in Nuremberg.

The previous generation was limited to six modules, resulting in a set of 534 kWh gross and 480 kWh usable. With the new configuration, the truck can receive a seventh package when configured as a 6x2 tractor unit, reaching 644 kWh gross and 616 kWh net. It is with this last configuration that MAN projects the 720 km, although the company itself indicates that over 600 km is a more realistic figure for daily use.

The additional axle installed in this version supports greater weight and load per axle. As a point of comparison, the Volvo FH Aero Electric 6x2 has an autonomy rating of up to 700 km.

In the 4x2 configuration, considered the most popular, the limit remains at six batteries, totaling 552 kWh gross and 528 kWh usable, with a maximum autonomy of 660 km and an expectation to exceed 500 km in real conditions.

The front of the vehicle has been extended by 12 cm, a change made possible by European regulations allowing extensions on zero-emission trucks. According to MAN, this new design contributes to improving aerodynamics, increasing safety, and optimizing driver visibility.

Furthermore, the efficiency of regenerative braking has been increased by up to 20%. The eTGX supports megawatt charging (MCS) of up to 750 kW, while the conventional CCS connector limit is 375 kW.

These figures have no parallel in the Brazilian market, as the eTGX is not sold in the country. In Brazil, the Volkswagen e-Delivery, the first electric truck produced in series nationally at the Resende (RJ) factory, offers an autonomy of up to 250 km with six battery modules.

The 720 km achievable by MAN is equivalent to the trip from São Paulo to Florianópolis without needing a recharge.

At the same stand, MAN also presented two electric variants of the TGE van, a relative of the Volkswagen Crafter, developed in collaboration with the Swiss company Flux. These vans are intended for applications where electric vehicles often face difficulties, such as emergency services, fire departments, and municipal operations.

These vehicles feature a 119 kWh battery, an autonomy of up to 480 km, and a DC charging capacity of up to 140 kW, which allows the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in less than half an hour.

The two configurations have gross weights of 4 and 5.5 tons, with the larger one capable of carrying up to 2,500 kg and towing up to 3,500 kg. MAN is working with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles on the successor to the eTGE, which was discontinued in 2024, and this is expected to be launched alongside the next generation of the e-Crafter, scheduled for around 2028.

Volkswagen presented the Mission Efficiency, a concept vehicle developed to illustrate the potential for efficiency in electric cars by minimizing dependence on large batteries. This prototype managed to travel a distance of 1,278 km between Wolfsburg, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, using only a single recharge during the journey.

The vehicle's design results from combining optimizations such as weight reduction, the adoption of extreme aerodynamics, and improved energy management. Built on the MEB+ platform and sharing elements with the ID. Polo, the prototype demonstrates how reducing losses can significantly increase the range of an electric car.

The lines of the Mission Efficiency recall the 2013 XL1 model, maintaining the teardrop shape with a very narrow rear section. With a drag coefficient of 0.158, Volkswagen stated that this has become the most aerodynamic automobile authorized for public road circulation ever manufactured.

Engineering details include three active cooling vents that operate in five distinct modes to manage airflow. The rear wheels are equipped with near-total covers, and specific wheel deflectors help mitigate turbulence. Furthermore, the floor was designed to be almost entirely closed, aiming to improve airflow under the vehicle.

Instead of implementing an entirely new propulsion system, the design utilizes existing components from the ID. Polo. The front electric motor generates 137 hp, and the NMC battery has a capacity of 54.9 kWh. In tests conducted at 68 km/h, maintaining a constant speed, without inclines, and with auxiliary systems like air conditioning turned off, the recorded consumption was 6.48 kWh/100 km. On the trip from Wolfsburg to Vienna, the Mission Efficiency consumed 7.51 kWh/100 km when accounting for recharge losses, and 6.89 kWh/100 km without these losses.

The relentless pursuit of efficiency is evident in various aspects of the car. Despite having a low roof, the interior offers a 2+2 configuration and a luggage volume of 481 liters. The rear seats accommodate passengers up to approximately 1.60 meters tall and can be folded down to create a load floor of up to 1.8 meters.

To contribute to weight and component reduction, Volkswagen opted to omit a traditional multimedia center. The driver has the option to mount a smartphone or tablet on a rail and connect it wirelessly to the car. The audio system follows a similar logic, using a portable Bluetooth speaker.

According to the manufacturer, the Mission Efficiency represents the ideal way to demonstrate Volkswagen's difference in the electric era: offering technology accessible to the general public, not just a restricted group.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen, commented in a note that the front of the concept aligns with the new line of electric vehicles, which also includes the ID. Polo and the ID. Cross. Andreas Mindt, Director of Design, corroborated this information.

Currently, the Mission Efficiency remains a concept. Volkswagen displays it as proof of what can be achieved in terms of efficiency, not as a model available for purchase.