The Munich Transport Company (MVG) is set to introduce 21 new electric articulated buses into regular service in the Bavarian capital over the next few days, marking a significant stride towards achieving its goal of 100 percent emission-free public transport services.
These newly deployed buses, the MAN Lion’s City E articulated models, were ordered approximately a year ago. According to MVG, MAN emerged as the most economically advantageous supplier, securing the tender. With these additions, MVG’s electric bus fleet has now expanded to include 47 electric vehicles.
Ingo Wortmann, CEO of MVG and Managing Director Mobility of Stadtwerke München (SWM), stated, “This number is the largest tranche of electric buses MVG has ever taken delivery of.”
These electric buses are being generously subsidized at a rate of 62 percent, with funding provided by various governmental entities, including the Munich government, the Upper Bavarian government, the Bavarian state ministry (as part of the air pollution control program), and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, through the special ‘Energy and Climate Fund.’
The MAN Lion’s City E boasts a 640 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, offering a range of 250 kilometers. The batteries are strategically positioned on the roof of the vehicle. MVG highlights that these new electric articulated buses feature a modern and redesigned interior. The elimination of the engine tower found in diesel buses creates additional space in the rearmost rows, resulting in a more spacious and open environment.
See also: Ebusco receives order for 19 Ebusco 3.0 electric buses from Nobina Group
Further augmenting the electric bus fleet, MVG expects an additional 14 articulated electric buses from manufacturer Ebusco to join their ranks later this year, bringing the total electric bus count to 61 by year-end. MVG has ambitious plans to transition its entire bus services to electric power by 2035. Notably, Ebusco, like MAN, also supplies 18-meter articulated buses.
In August, Stadtwerke München awarded orders for 71 new electric buses, scheduled for delivery between spring 2024 and spring 2025, to Daimler Buses, Ebusco, and MAN. Additionally, in November 2022, the Moosach bus depot was inaugurated, providing charging infrastructure for up to 56 electric buses.