New cloud-based platform for managing MAN electric buses
MAN is launching a new cloud-based platform for Lion’s City E buses. The MAN eManager digital system enables operators to charge electric buses ahead of journeys and provides fleet managers with ambient temperature data and other vehicle information.
The first version of MAN eManager will be available on the RIO platform for MAN Lion’s City E vehicles from the fourth quarter of 2020, which means that it will arrive in time for the first series-produced MAN electric buses to be delivered to customers.
“Thanks to an interface between the RIO Box installed in the bus and the RIO platform, MAN eManager makes it possible to manage battery charging and vehicle air conditioning – even using pre-programmed settings”, says Felix Krüger, vice president aftersales & MAN digital services.
At the heart of the new tool is a charge management facility for the modular battery system, which has a total capacity of 480kWh or 640kWh and comprises six or eight battery modules on the vehicle roof.
MAN eManager can also be used to adjust air-conditioning of the MAN Lion’s City E before a journey begins to ensure that energy is used as efficiently as possible.
This helps prevent the need to recharge the battery on journeys where the ambient temperature varies significantly, according to MAN.
“With MAN eManager, bus operators will have an efficient, cost-conscious tool for managing the scheduling of their electric fleets and carrying out daily operational planning”, says Rudi Kuchta, head of business unit bus, MAN Truck & Bus.