MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE Wins Innovation Award for Excellence in All-Electric Transit Solutions

MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE Wins Innovation Award for Excellence in All-Electric Transit Solutions

(IN BRIEF) The MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE has received the busplaner Innovation Award 2025 in the “12-meter Electric Buses” category, following its earlier recognition as “Sustainable Bus of the Year 2025.” Celebrated for its flexibility, strong performance, and sustainable design, the low-entry electric bus features a peak 240 kW electric motor and customizable battery configurations of up to 480 kWh. Its adaptable design suits both city and intercity routes, offering a spacious and accessible interior layout. MAN’s modular approach enables operators to balance range, comfort, and efficiency. The award, presented by busplaner magazine based on reader votes, underscores industry recognition of MAN’s innovation and leadership in sustainable public transport.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 14-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE has earned another major industry accolade, taking top honors in the “12-meter Electric Buses” category at the busplaner Innovation Award 2025. This latest recognition, awarded by readers of the German trade magazine busplaner (Huss-Verlag), highlights the all-electric low-entry bus’s exceptional combination of flexibility, sustainability, and strong performance—qualities that have made it a standout in both urban and intercity transport.

This marks the second major award for the MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE in 2025, following its earlier win as “Sustainable Bus of the Year.” Voters selected it from a field of 66 innovative products and solutions nominated across 13 categories, ranging from vehicle technologies and fleet management systems to pioneering tourism services.

“We’re thrilled that the MAN Lion’s City 12 E LE was the readers’ choice,” said Darko Simeunovic, Head of Bus Sales at MAN Truck & Bus Germany. “This award confirms that our electric bus resonates with customers due to its adaptable design, comfortable layout, impressive power, and environmental benefits.”

At the heart of the bus is a central electric motor delivering a peak output of 240 kW. Thanks to MAN’s modular battery system, operators can tailor the number of battery packs—ranging from four to six—to best meet the needs of their service routes. The battery capacity can reach up to 480 kWh, enabling a balance between passenger load, range, and charging efficiency.

Built upon MAN’s 12-meter solo electric bus platform, the Lion’s City 12 E LE is engineered for versatility. It is well-suited to both city traffic and longer interurban routes. The interior has been designed based on user feedback to ensure exceptional passenger comfort, featuring 41 seats, a dedicated space for wheelchairs and strollers, and a low-entry layout with an engine tower-free rear section. Its Class 1 certification makes it ideal for suburban lines, while upcoming Class 2 approval will broaden its eligibility for intercity use under the more demanding body strength standards of UN ECE R 66.02.

The bus made its debut at Busworld Europe in autumn 2023 and has since gained significant recognition across the public transport industry. “From its launch to being named ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year 2025’ and now winning the ‘busplaner Innovation Award 2025,’ this success is a clear reflection of how well our dedication to green innovation and practical design is being received,” said Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus at MAN Truck & Bus.

Media Contact:

Sebastian Lindner
Head of Communications Bus & Communications Manager Digitalization
presse-man@man.eu
+49 89 1580-2001

SOURCE: MAN Truck & Bus