MAN hands over first electric bus prototype
AUTOMOTIVE group MAN Truck & Bus has handed its first Lion’s Explorer E bus to one of its top customers, Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) in the Western Cape.
Despite there being some electric buses currently operating in the country, what is different about the MAN Lion’s Explorer 12E is that it is designed for local purposes and not imported as a derivative from an overseas product.
The stakeholders revealed that the bus was still in its test phase and the official launch would be in 2024 with the first customer orders.
The unveiling of the new bus was attended by various stakeholders including Francois Meyer, CEO of Frontier Transport Holdings & Golden Arrow Bus Services, and Jan Aichinger, managing director at MAN Truck & Bus South Africa.
Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus was also in attendance.
Aichinger spoke about the ebus highlighting that it was built to fulfil their customer needs.
“We have combined the best of two worlds to deliver the first electric commuter bus, designed and built in South Africa, fulfilling our customer needs, when transforming into an emission-free future.
“Our aim is to support our customers in their daily work in the best possible way – whether with tailor-made solutions, individual consulting services, or new technologies.
“We continue to build this new model entirely in South Africa. This, we believe, is the only way to provide custom-made products to the needs of our customers.
“We predict that emission-free buses will increase in South Africa, and it is for this reason that MAN is bringing the future now.
“Our goal is very clear: ‘Simplifying customer business through leading sustainable solutions’,” said Aichinger
The manufacturer said GABS, their valued customer, had a longterm strategy to transition its current fleet from internal combustion powertrains to electric buses.
“Aligned with similar strategies we built our very first high-floor battery electric vehicle yet, for GABS to begin an electrified commuter bus journey.”