MAN Truck & Bus
The switch to e-mobility means more than just buying new vehicles – a few changes are needed when it comes to infrastructure too. Charging technology at the depot is especially important. This raises many questions: where and when will e-buses need to be charged? Is there any sense in being generous with the number of charging stations and the size of the power supply today, because even more electric vehicles will come in the next few years? Who should provide the technology and power? And how will the investments be financed?
Integrated offer – right down to financing
MAN has answers to all these questions in its 360-degree mobility solutions. An expert team from MAN Transport Solutions advises customers on issues surrounding the themes of “charging and energy”. And because many customers are looking for an integrated offer of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, MAN can direct them to tried and tested partners to supply and install charging points. The benefit is that the charging point is organised directly by MAN’s sales organisation. This means that customers have just one point of contact and can get not only the electric vehicle but the right charging solution too, all from the same supplier. If required, financing can even be arranged too. It’s all in line with the MAN motto, “Simplifying Customer Business”.
Flexible The five possible CCS connection points on the MAN Lion’s City E mean that it’s never far to a charger.
Overhead power in the future too
The MAN Lion’s City E makes charging really simple for its users: with five possible CCS connection points, it is easy to charge at almost any depot as it is never far to reach from the charger to one of the five sockets. Charging by pantograph promises even more flexibility. If a pantograph system is fitted, it simply connects to a charger above the roof of the bus. From 2024, MAN buses could be fitted with and charged via “inverted pantographs”. Here, the pantograph itself is mounted on the charger and drops down from above to connect to a contact on the roof of the bus. This additional option increases flexibility and opens up the possibility of automating the charging process at the depot.
Automatic An "inverted pantograph" lowers from above and charges the E-bus
AUTOMATIC EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE WITH THE MAN eMANGER
The MAN eManager, the digital command centre for the electric bus, promises simplified charging management. The basic MAN eManager S package offers two battery charging options: choose "Charge immediately" and the vehicle will charge as soon as it is connected to a charger and power is available. "Timer charge" allows the user to set a number of time periods so that charging can be programmed for a specified departure time. In addition, the MAN eManager S enables the vehicle interior to be prewarmed or cooled, depending on the season, before use – both if the vehicle is set to charge immediately and if the battery will only charge later with a timer setting. In both cases, the electric bus will leave the depot with the interior at a pleasant temperature – and a higher range because less energy will be needed for air conditioning at the start of the journey.
Perfect overview The MAN eManager M provides detailed information on the vehicle and its battery.
The MAN eManager M package offers additional features on top of the basic functions, providing extra vehicle and battery information. Analysis of average values for energy consumption, regeneration and distance travelled, which can be generated and compared for one or more vehicles over a specified period is essential for efficient fleet management. A detailed insight is provided by the overview of daily charging and discharging cycles, air conditioning, external temperature and energy consumption, which is stored in the history.
