Stadtwerke München (SWM) is putting 21 new electric articulated buses into operation for the Munich Transport Company (MVG).
“This figure represents the largest batch of electric buses MVG has received to date. With the existing electric buses, the company’s fleet will grow to a total of 47 vehicles,” says Ingo Wortmann, head of MVG and CEO of SWM Mobility.
“We aim to operate our bus transport completely electrically by 2035. In doing so, we actively contribute to Munich’s transportation transition, making the city quieter, cleaner, and more livable,” he adds.
Following a EU-wide tender for the 21 units, SWM awarded the production and supply to the most economically advantageous provider, MAN, based on the award criteria.
62% of the buses are funded with public funds, as the corresponding support comes from the state capital of Munich through the Integrated Action Program for Electromobility Promotion in Munich (IHFEM), from the Government of Upper Bavaria under the Bavarian Municipal Transport Financing Act, and from the air pollution control program of the Bavarian Federation.
This year, another 14 articulated electric buses (18 meters in length) from the manufacturer Ebusco are also expected.
This will increase MVG’s fleet to 61 vehicles by the end of the year.
To prepare for the gradual electrification of the fleet, SWM/MVG inaugurated the new Moosach bus station in November 2022, where up to 56 units can currently be charged.
During construction, the gradual expansion of the charging infrastructure was also prepared.
Charging options are also available at the East Munich bus station.
What are the new electric buses for MVG like?
The new MAN Lion’s City E buses are characterized by their modern interior.
In the electric version, the rear-mounted engine tower found in diesel buses is omitted, providing more space for rear seating.
With a total capacity of 640 kWh, the nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC) batteries allow the vehicles to travel up to 250 kilometers. The middle and rear axles are powered by a central motor.
Regarding climate control, the units are equipped with a CO2 air conditioning system, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to conventional systems.
CO2 is environmentally friendly and has a comparatively low Global Warming Potential (GWP) value. Additionally, the integrated heat pump utilizes the properties of CO2 refrigerant to efficiently heat the cabin in winter.
It’s worth noting that since late 2020, MAN and MVG have been testing a twelve-meter-long MAN Lion’s City E bus in the field.
According to their comments, the feedback has been positive, as the bus is constantly evolving and adapting to MVG’s needs. Significant improvements have been achieved, including reduced consumption, increased autonomy, greater passenger comfort, and optimized climate control.
Read more: Changes in Incentives for Electrified Vehicles in Germany: What Are the Effects?
