Italy, first electric buses for Modena region: 11 MAN Lion’s City E joining SETA’s fleet

Italian public transport operator SETA, active in Modena region, has welcomed its first ever electric buses, ready to enter service in the city of Reggio Emilia.

They are 11 MAN Lion’s City 12E e-buses, purchased thanks to an allocation of 8 million euros of PNRR funds, assigned to the Municipality of Reggio Emilia by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which also commissioned Kempower the construction of the depot and related recharging infrastructure.

Electric buses coming in Modena region

The first three e-buses are ready to enter service, the other eight will follow by June 2026. The operation is part of the company’s investment plan, which for the three-year period 2024-2026 amounts to almost 76 million euros, 20 of which will be covered by SETA and 56 covered by European contributions to the Region and Municipalities. About 210 new buses will be procured (of which about 60 for Reggio Emilia).

The new full-electric MAN Lion’s City 12E vehicles are the electric-powered version of the 48 Euro 6 CNG-hybrid buses that alrady circulate on the Reggio Emilia urban network.

The 11 vehicles purchased by SETA are configured in a 3-door urban layout and are 12-metres long. Their internal layout, designed to facilitate on-board handling, allows them to accommodate up to 79 passengers, 29 of whom have seats, as well as having a seat equipped to accommodate prams or wheelchairs for use by users with motor disabilities.

Mileage on one charge is approximately 300 km, ensured by the ‘NMC’ battery pack with a nominal capacity of 480 kWh.