MAN demonstrates its industry leadership in natural gas buses at UITP MENA Transport 2016

MAN Truck & Bus Middle East is participating at the UITP (International Association of Public Transport) MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2016 which is taking place in Dubai from April 25-27, 2016. MAN is the market and technology leader in natural gas buses and the MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition will be a great platform to understand how MAN is uniquely positioned to offer clean and efficient alternatives to conventional diesel vehicles.

Franz Freiherr von Redwitz, Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus Middle East will also be speaking about the economical, environment-friendly solutions offered by the company on Tuesday the 26th April at the Expo Forum session 3: ‘Bus Technology.’ where he will share and discuss the latest innovations in natural gas buses from MAN.

Commenting on MAN’s participation, Franz von Redwitz said, “Urbanisation, increasing pressure on transport systems, air and noise pollution and climate change all require new solutions for urban mobility. At MAN, we recognize these challenges and we have over the years developed a well-established industry reputation for offering environmentally friendly vehicles that also meet the standards expected by progressive public transport authorities across the Middle East.”

Franz von Redwitz added, “MAN has the experience of a more than half a century in natural-gas-powered buses and our experience with public transport authorities across the globe has also conclusively proven the viability of CNG as an alternative fuel choice. We look forward to engaging with attendees and actively contribute to a more sustainable future for the region.”

Clean travel – natural gas buses from MAN

MAN is the market and technology leader in natural gas buses. The natural gas drive is an alternative to the conventional diesel drive and significantly undershoots the current stringent emission standard without the need for any additional filter technology or operating media. With no need for technical modifications, such buses can also be run on treated biogas – thus making operation virtually CO2 neutral.

MAN is working on integrated natural gas solutions and increasing the number of natural gas buses in operation, as well as ensuring the continued development of the fuel infrastructure for the entire natural gas mobility industry. The “Bus of the Year 2015” award is proof, amongst others, that MAN is right at the forefront in developing use of natural gas. On receiving the award, the Lion’s City GL CNG was noted in particular for its environmentally-friendly, powerful and economical drive. 

CNG engines – an alternative that pays off

The Euro 6 CNG engine of a MAN Lion's City CNG bus offers an environmentally friendly public transport mobility solution with extremely low pollutant levels. When filled up with biogas or e-gas, the articulated bus is virtually carbon neutral; offering emission levels comparable to that of fully electric vehicles. Even without the use of biogas, CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 17 per cent in comparison to diesel vehicles. As well as being a sustainable fuel source, natural gas is also a particularly economical solution. Due to the significantly reduced fuel costs, over a period of ten years an MAN Lion's City CNG bus saves approximately 15 per cent on the life cycle costs in comparison to a diesel bus from the same model range.

Comprehensive CNG solutions from the market leader

MAN's position as market leader in this sector is backed up by decades of experience with natural gas buses. MAN not only offers reliable technologies, but is also highly proficient and skilled in the servicing and repair of high-pressure gas systems. If requested by the customer, training courses can be arranged to ensure that MAN's expertise is competently transferred to the customer's own service personnel or an external service team and a global supply of spare parts for natural gas.

Successful Pilot of  Lion’s City CNG Bus in UAE  

In the Middle East, MAN Truck & Bus had earlier been commissioned by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport to conduct extensive trials of its Lion’s City CNG bus. The bus operated for eight months in the UAE along with regular diesel-powered buses to achieve a direct comparison; the result showed a higher exhaust gas quality compared to diesel buses and less nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides and particles in the air. Additionally, the bus complied with the strictest security standards worldwide – including the ECE-R110 guideline – setting a new standard in road safety in the region.