KUALA LUMPUR: Leading German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) and Gemilang International Ltd (GML), a Hong Kong-listed bus and bus body manufacturer based in Malaysia, showcased the MAN eBus chassis at a special preview for bus operators and government officials at GML's headquarters in Senai, Johor.
Beginning in 2023, MAN Malaysia will offer zero-emission, all-electric bus chassis and conventional bus 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.
MAN Malaysia managing director Andrew O'Brooks expressed confidence 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 plan to assemble the MAN eBus chassis locally to make it very competitively priced for those 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 per cent of MAN Bus sales by 2026," he said in a statement.
For the Malaysian market, the MAN eBus chassis will be available as a two-axle vehicle with a low floor (LF) 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 either a modular 4-pack 320 kWh or 6-pack, 480 kWh battery with NMC (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt) technology, the MAN eBus chassis has a range of up to 350 km on a single charge.
GML chairman and chief executive officer Pang Chong Yong said the company is excited about introducing the MAN eBus chassis in Malaysia.
"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 aluminum bus body for the MAN chassis using the latest technology.
"In addition to having a zero-emission chassis, a green bus body is essential to making an environmentally friendly vehicle.
"Together, we hope to lead Malaysia and the rest of the region towards a cleaner, quieter and safer future," he said.
As a neutral bus body builder, GML has been a trusted original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for MAN for the past decade.
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 offer customer-specific 360° eMobility consulting services to companies planning 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.