MAN electric coach (3-axles) coming: features and strategy unveiled in Ankara. Production by end ’26

MAN Truck & Bus first electric coach model will be the Lion’s Coach 14 E, as announced during a press and customer event at the company’s Product Development Center in Ankara.

MAN therefore positions itself as the first European manufacturer to introduce a battery-electric coach (if talking about zero emission coaches in general, the only other product is the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen coach).

However, the event is not intended as the launch opportunity for the definitive model, but the beginning of the launch and communication campaign for the new MAN electric coach, whose design will be presented at Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels, while production is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and will be held in Ankara plant. The one tested today and pictured here is a first prototype based on an electrified version of the Lion’s Coach current range.

At the same time, MAN states it is upgrading its electric bus product family to support up to 375 kW charging and introducing a new generation of electric drivetrains (investigating the introduction of e-axles).

MAN electric coach aims for 650 km range

The MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E is a three-axle vehicle powered by in-house produced NMC battery packs, offering up to 534 kWh of total capacity. The batteries, made at MAN’s Nuremberg facility, are mounted in the rear engine compartment, with two additional packs optionally installed in place of the driver’s bunk. The high-energy configuration enables, according to the OEM, a range of up to 650 kilometers, depending on conditions and use.

Charging infrastructure compatibility includes the CCS standard with up to 375 kW power. The vehicle is also prepared for future integration with MCS charging, allowing power up to 750 kW. A centrally mounted electric motor, also by MAN (within Traton group) delivers 330 kW of power to the second axle, and is combined with MAN’s TipMatic 4-speed transmission. Inside, a newly developed 12-inch digital display provides real-time energy data, drive mode, range and charging status.

In terms of passenger logistics, the MAN electric coach matches its diesel counterpart in both seating and luggage volume, carrying up to 61 passengers plus crew and offering 11 to 13 cubic meters of luggage space. The Lion’s Coach 14 E is also the first coach in its class to feature a CO₂-based HVAC system, reflecting a further push toward climate-friendly design.

MAN electric coach and CO2 reduction standards in Europe

Michael Roth, Head of Strategy Product Bus at MAN, highlighted the broader context of the launch. “By 2030, we are required to reduce CO₂ emissions from intercity and coach fleets by 43% compared to 2025. The MAN electric coach is a cornerstone of our roadmap.” Roth added that hydrogen coaches vehicles would require three times more energy than battery-electric models — making BEVs the more cost-effective solution for operators.

He also pointed to the importance of use case suitability: short to mid-range operations with high daily mileage and access to depot charging are the best environments for electric coaches. Roth noted that several European countries are already offering incentives for fleet electrification, being this an important enabler for this technology’s adoption.

Recently opened: MAN Product Development Center in Ankara

The development of the MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E is anchored at MAN’s Product Development Center in Ankara, a 302,000 square meter site inaugurated in late 2024. Built with a €41 million investment, the center includes test tracks, laboratories, workshops, offices and warehouses. The land was provided free of charge by the Turkish government, underlining the strategic value of the site.

Located just 8 km away, MAN’s production plant in Ankara has been active since 1966 and currently employs more than 4,400 people. Around 3,000 coaches were delivered from the facility in 2024, with similar production volumes expected for 2025.