De Lijn subcontractor Hansea orders 181 more MAN e-buses

Hansea, one of Belgium’s largest private bus companies, has ordered 181 more Lion’s City E buses from MAN to use for the Flemish public transport company De Lijn. Hansea already has 90 MAN e-buses in operation, bringing the total to 271 units, making it the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Belgium.

Hansea specializes in all sorts of bus transportation: public transport, staff transport, school transport, and long-distance coaches. It also has contracts for the Walloon public transport company TEC, and Flemish public transport company De Lijn, for which these new e-buses will be used.

MAN and Hansea have been together since 2021

Hansea has been using e-buses for De Lijn since 2021, when it first started using a MAN Lion’s City E in Antwerp. Today, the electric fleet has grown to 90 e-buses, with 181 more underway. Hansea has ordered 10-, 12- and 18-meter articulated buses to cover various use cases, from tight city centers to high-volume routes.

“Sustainability is a key issue for us and for MAN. The order is a milestone that confirms our joint commitment to sustainability,” says Joris Larosse, CEO of Hansea. He continues: “Our goal is to fully electrify our entire bus fleet by 2035. We have relied on MAN to convert our fleet right from the start. Over the last ten years, we have developed a trusted partnership based on intense professional cooperation.”

Up to 350 km range

The MAN Lion’s City E features a range of 300 km (10-meter) to 350 km (12- and 18-meter), thanks to a 320 to 640 kWh battery, depending on the configuration. Charging is possible up to 150 kW, which takes 2.5 to 5 hours for a full charge, meaning it will mostly be charged overnight. The short 10-meter bus seats 33 people, the 12-meter has space for 45 seats, and the 18-meter articulated bus seats 60.

Part of the e-buses will arrive in this year’s second half, while the rest will follow in 2025. With this large order, MAN further solidifies its leadership position in the Belgian and European e-bus markets.