The MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E battery-electric tri-axle made its global debut at Busworld, with the manufacturer telling routeone that it has not entirely ruled out bringing the type to the UK in the future.
Such a position was shared by MAN Truck and Bus Head of Bus Sales and Product Robert Katzer. While the builder is clear about plans to ultimately expand zero-emission technology into other coach products, he says that the priority is to get the Lion’s Coach E platform into service before taking further models to battery-electric.
Mr Katzer adds that the Lion’s Coach E is “a top highlight” of the MAN coach and bus range. The model leverages battery-electric technology already deployed by the builder in its Lion’s City E bus.
A range of up to 650km under optimal conditions is claimed for the Lion’s Coach 14 E. It has a usable battery capacity of 320-480kWh from an overall 356-534kWh and incorporates a design that cuts the drag coefficient to a level comparable with a sports utility vehicle, the manufacturer says.
Up to 63 passengers can be carried, with production due to start next year at the Ankara plant in Turkey that also builds the Neoplan Tourliner for the UK market. The 14m coach has 11 cubic metres of underfloor luggage space.
Further battery-electric coach models will roll out “gradually” through to the turn of the decade, MAN says. It adds that a medium-term goal is to achieve cost parity with diesel coaches through lower energy, maintenance and repair outgoings.
Charge via a CCS2 connection can be taken at up to 375kW, which will give a comparable application profile to a diesel coach when statutory break and rest periods for drivers are considered, MAN continues. Its battery-electric coaches will be able to accept a maximum of 750kW in the future.
Notably, the OEM observes how a battery-electric coach “can be seen as a real opportunity for coach tourism, especially for reaching new target groups for whom sustainability also plays an important role in travel planning.”
The 330kW electric motor in the Lion’s Coach 14 E is coupled to a four-speed TipMatic 4 automated gearbox that delivers “barely noticeable” changes. Two driving programmes can be selected from the cab – TipMatic Efficiency and TipMatic Performance. Separately chosen are “sailing” and “one-pedal drive” functions.
Nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery technology is utilised, with those packs coming from the MAN plant in Nuremberg. Each stores 89kWh of energy. Four are installed as standard at the rear of the coach and one or two elsewhere by request.
