Public Transport Authority Stadtwerke München (SWM) in Germany has ordered 21 new electric articulated buses of the MAN Lion's City 18 E for the Munich transport company (MVG). In mid-2023, the new buses will gradually go on line in the Bavarian state capital.
By 2035, Stadtwerke München wants to operate its bus services completely electrically. The field test of the all-electric 12-meter MAN Lion's City E bus started in the Bavarian capital as early as 2020. MAN Truck & Bus has now won the EU-wide tender for 21 electric articulated buses. The bus is powered by two central electric motors on the second and third axles. MAN states they made this choice because in contrast to electric motors close to the wheel hub, these are more easily accessible and less complex. Fleet operators thus benefit from advantages in maintenance and the total cost of ownership (TCO). The articulated buses are also equipped as standard with articulation protection and articulation angle control, which should further optimizes driving stability. Also through the targeted, situation-specific distribution of drive torque to the two driven axles, critical buckling situations can be avoided as a preventive measure as MAN states. The all-electric powertrain in the MAN Lion's City 18 E has an output of 267 kW to 320 kW. The energy for this comes from the modular batteries with an installed capacity of up to 640 kWh.