Bus of the Year 2015 - MAN Lion’s City GL CNG

© MANBus of the Year 2015 – MAN Lion’s City GL CNG – the 18.75 m long version

Articulated MAN Lion’s City GL CNG can be powered by natural gas or biogas, which makes it neutral in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. When it runs on natural gas, CO₂ emission is reduced by 17% compared with its counterpart with diesel engine. Of course the bus with a body length of 18,75 m meets Euro 6 emission standards.

In addition to reduced exhaust gas emissions, let’s not forget that the gas engine is virtually emission free when it comes to particulate matter – the most harmful to human beings. MAN Lion’s City GL CNG also provides low operating costs. The manufacturer estimates that only through lower cost of fuel, the overall operating costs go down by 15% over a ten year period (compared with a bus powered by diesel engine).

MAN has been supplying gas-powered buses for many years now which makes the company one of the leading manufacturers of such vehicles on the market. Co-operating with erdgas mobil GmbH, the company increases the number of gas-powered buses and develops refueling infrastructure. In addition to developing the technology, MAN also provides support for these installations, offering worldwide access to spare parts and organizing special training sessions where they pass on the knowledge necessary for the buses’ proper service and repair.

In addition to the drive unit, the jury of Bus of the Year 2015 praised the idea for the interior of this 18.75 m long articulated MAN Lion’s City GL CNG bus. It allows the bus to carry an exceptionally large number of passengers (142 people), and the bus’s five sets of double doors allow a smooth flow of passengers inside, thus shortening the time spent at bus stops.

The vehicle’s interior is lit up using LED lights. This technology was also used for daily traffic lights and rear lights of the bus. Thanks to this, a smaller alternator could be used (loss of power to its drive is smaller).

There’s one more gas-powered bus in the top 5 winners of Bus of the Year 2015. Fourth spot was taken by Scania Citywide LF CNG equipped with OC09 101 Euro 6 engine.