Leading German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) and Gemilang International Limited (GML), a Hong Kong-listed (stock code: 6163 HK) bus and bus body manufacturer based in Malaysia, have showcased the MAN eBus chassis for the first time in Malaysia at a special preview for bus operators and government officials at GML’s headquarters in Senai, Johor.
Beginning in 2023, MAN Malaysia will offer the zero-emission, all-electric bus chassis along with conventional chassis powered by low-emission Euro V engines as the company continues to drive change towards sustainable mobility in the public transport sector of Malaysia.
For the Malaysian market, the MAN eBus chassis will be available as a two-axle vehicle with low floor (LF) that is suitable for urban public transport. It is powered by an electric motor with continuous power of 160 kW and maximum torque of 2100 Nm mated to a single-speed gearbox.
With electric supply from a modular 4-pack 320 kWh or 6-pack, 480 kWh batteries with NMC (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt) technology, the MAN eBus chassis has a range of up to 350 km on a single charge.
MAN Malaysia Managing Director Andrew O’Brooks is confident that the MAN eBus chassis, with its flexibility and proven performance, would be the perfect platform for Malaysian bus operators to transition to electromobility.
“We are planning to assemble the MAN eBus chassis locally to make it very competitively priced for those who are keen to join us on the sustainability journey. With the completely knocked down (CKD) programme, we aim to have our electric buses contribute at least 20% of MAN Bus sales by 2026,” he said.
“GML is one of the first companies in Southeast Asia to assemble electric buses and we share a common goal with MAN in reducing carbon emissions. We are committed to developing the most durable, lightweight, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective aluminium bus body for the MAN chassis using the latest technology. Pang Chong Yong, Chairman and CEO of Gemilang International said about the introduction of the MAN eBus chassis in Malaysia.
“In addition to having a zero-emission chassis, a green bus body is equally essential to make an overall environmentally friendly vehicle. Together, we hope to lead Malaysia and the rest of the region towards a cleaner, quieter and safer future,” he added.
A neutral bus body builder, GML were the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for MAN for the past decade, winning the MAN Body Builder Award in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
The company has supplied more than 2,500 MAN Buses to Malaysia and overseas markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Uzbekistan and Dubai.
MAN Malaysia will also be offering customer-specific 360° eMobility consulting services to companies that plan to transition to electromobility.
The exclusive service from MAN Transport Solutions covers all important factors for a successful transition such as range and consumption analysis, network analysis, charging infrastructure concept, charging and energy concept, fleet transition and services and training.
For more information on the MAN eBus chassis visit www.man.com.my
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