German CNG technology proven to be a sustainable and lucrative alternative to diesel complying worldwide highest safety standards and emissions as low as EURO 6.
Beginning of this year the gulf just got a little greener driving a MAN Lion's City CNG Bus on trial, which operates using cleaner and greener Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology. The bus operated for eight months in the UAE along with regular diesel powered buses to achieve a direct comparison. The comparative emission values have now been evaluated and published by MAN. The result is a higher exhaust gas quality compared to diesel buses and less nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides and particles in the air. Additionally the state of the art safety features which the Lion's City fulfilled, complying with the worldwide strictest security standards - the ECE-R110 guideline set a new standard in road safety in the region.
A market leader in this sector with more than 50 years of experience in natural gas-powered vehicles, MAN Truck & Bus has been a pioneer in the introduction of cleaner public transport solutions to the Middle East region. MAN took part in the pilot project supporting the region's goal to ensure that natural gas accounts for twenty percent of the total amount of fuel consumed on the country's roads in the near future.
The emissions of the CNG engine comply with EURO 6 exhaust norm plus EEV which means it has further reduced particulates emissions. Compared to the EURO 4 diesel which is the highest emission standard used in the GCC countries for buses, the CNG is reducing emissions of on average by more than 85% nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide, and particulates and contributes such to a cleaner and less polluted air.
"For the GCC these results mean that if the currently in public transport operating buses were exchanged with CNG buses, the emissions would be significantly reduced." Thomas Weinmann, MAN Area Sales Manager Bus stated. "Additionally to this excellent eco figure the evaluation showed that the total operating costs per kilometre, are about 8 % less compared to a EURO 4 diesel powered bus, operating under the same conditions."
"The MAN Lion's City CNG is the first bus of its kind which complies with the ECE-R110 guideline and also fulfils the requirements of the applicable national regulation for natural gas vehicles in the UAE". A representative of TUV Rheinland, the region's most important international inspecting and auditing company for legal requirements and voluntary standards stated. "We found that the bus has state of the art safety features and the materials such as Type 4 fibreglass / carbon full wrap cylinders are of high-end quality. Fire controlling systems, shutoff valves, pressure regulation systems and gas detectors ensure more road safety and MAN's experience and expertise in gas technology has been proven over the last 30 years."
Commenting on the results, David van Graan, Head of MAN Center Middle East and Vice President Sales & Marketing said: "The Gulf Countries suffer a sizeable energy and emissions burden on account of their unique climatic conditions. Governments of this region are keen to reduce this energy dependence in terms of fuel consumption as well as invest in cleaner sources of fuel. For the future, CNG utilization in public transport is the best and most economical method of ensuring sustainable reduction of emissions."
The MAN Lion's City CNG Bus - based on 100% CNG technology especially developed for very hot regions - is a twelve-metre long low-floor solo bus, driven by a turbocharged six-cylinder engine powered by natural gas. The engine delivers 228 kW (310 hp) while its emissions are well below the limits set for Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicles (EEV), currently the most stringent emission standard. The engine's exhaust gases are especially low in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates. In addition, a six-speed automatic gearbox equipped with a retarder detects up- and downhill gradients, automatically adjusting the gearshift points as it does so, thus helping to reduce fuel consumption. An additional benefit for the environment is the perceptible reduced noise emission with only 74db as compared to 78 dB of a diesel bus. An optional safety feature is the electrical stability program (ESP) to prevent the bus from flipping in extreme situations.
For more information: www.mantruckandbus.com/press
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About MAN Truck & Bus Middle East
Since 2006, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East has been the regional representative of MAN Truck & Bus AG which is headquartered in Munich, Germany and the largest company of MAN Group. It is a leading provider of commercial vehicles and buses that are renowned for their robustness, reliability and adherence to high standards of driver and passenger comfort and safety.
MAN Truck & Bus Middle East operates through an extensive network of 35 private capital dealers and importers in 14 countries namely Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Accommodating for the demanding operating conditions in the Middle East, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East provides full-fledged turn-key solutions for both goods and passenger transportation by road through its light (TGL) , medium (TGM) and heavy-duty (TGS WW) ranges of trucks, and MAN and NEOPLAN buses that provide basic to VIP luxury transport and travel requirements.
The Transport Efficiency Program from MAN Truck & Bus
The amount of transport and traffic on Europe's roads is rising. At the same time, the long-term dwindling of energy resources is making transport increasingly more expensive. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks, MAN Truck & Bus makes an important contribution to the continued improvement of transport efficiency. MAN offers a comprehensive efficiency program to reduce your total costs of ownership. Transport efficiency, consolidated in the fields of technology, service, the driver and future expertise protects the environment and is added value for our customers.
MAN Truck & Bus AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is the largest company of the MAN Group and a leading international supplier of efficient commercial vehicles and innovative transport solutions. In fiscal 2010 the enterprise, with around 31,000 employees, posted sales of more than 55,000 trucks and over 5,400 buses and bus chassis of the MAN and NEOPLAN brands worth 7.4 billion euros.
© Press Release 2012
