We will provide you with comprehensive support so that you can successfully make the switch to alternative drives

Hybrid, gas or all-electric? The drive concepts that best optimise your bus fleet can only be clarified using highly detailed analyses of the specific application. The range required for each bus line is a decisive factor when compiling an ideally suited fleet mix, especially if all-electric vehicles are included.

The MAN Lion’s City E can travel for up to 270 km without needing to be charged. However, you will also need to take other factors into account for reliable statements on possible applications and efficiency.

For example, electric buses are the most economical, with average speeds of between 14 and 18 km/h. Factors such as the number of starting and braking operations, the number of passengers or the topography of your lines also affect the range. The heating can significantly reduce the daily possible travel distance of the electric bus, especially in sub-zero temperatures.

Integrating alternatively-powered buses into your fleet means more for your business than just replacing one or more vehicles; it represents your introduction to the mobility of the future, with all the associated benefits. The ”electric” vehicles, in particular, bring a number of changes to your operations – from planning deployments, to optimal driving style, through to the equipment of the workshop.

Our aim is to make the transition to alternative drives a success from day one. In collaboration with the MAN Academy, we provide training for your employees so that they can make optimal use of all new vehicles. We inform you of possible risks and how to handle the vehicles properly in the event of an accident or a defect. We also provide support for your in-house or external service workshops as an expert partner in all matters relating to alternative drive technologies.

Whether you can achieve savings by switching to an electric fleet, as opposed to using a diesel fleet, largely depends on the design of the energy supply. We test all possible means of cost optimisation for you; these include, for example, how you can exploit low-cost electricity purchasing times and avoid load peaks with staggered charging. Another example is how you can reduce energy costs by feeding in your own electricity.

The vehicle battery is another key component for ensuring electromobility remains efficient in the long term. Every battery loses capacity and performance as it ages, but you can influence how quickly and to what extent these effects take hold. Factors such as user conduct, maintenance and charging frequency play a key role in this. Optimised battery management is therefore an integral part of our concepts for the use of electric buses in your fleet mix.

You can only profit sustainably and cost-effectively from electromobility if your depot has a tailor-made charging infrastructure. Efficient operational processes for charging in the depot are just as essential here as the ensuring the maximum availability of your electric buses in scheduled service.

Our experts develop charging strategies and schedules that are optimally aligned to your fleet operation. They also plan the type and number of charging points, and design the optimal layout for them within your depot. In simulations, each of the concepts undergoes a practical test to demonstrate its feasibility.

By the way: MAN relies solely on the standard CCS charging technology (combined charging system). This means you can charge regardless of the manufacturer and vehicle, and guarantees maximum flexibility and planning reliability.