Munich Airport shifts to MAN electric apron buses

Munich Airport is replacing apron buses with MAN Lion’s City E models, as reported by MAN Truck & Bus, supporting its Net Zero 2035 strategy. Learn key details.

Up to 74 all-electric MAN Lion’s City E apron buses are set to enter service at Munich Airport in the coming years. For one of Germany’s largest aviation hubs, this is more than a fleet renewal: AeroGround, the airport’s ground handling subsidiary, is converting its entire apron bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles, linking the move directly to Munich Airport’s Net Zero 2035 target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

The shift is already visible on the apron. The announcement says 37 electric buses are currently operating at the airport, carrying passengers, crew members and employees. Over the next years, that number is expected to rise to 74. Earlier airport communications also described the rollout as a phased expansion tied to operational needs and available charging capacity.

That is what gives the story its wider relevance. The electric apron buses are part of Munich Airport’s broader Net Zero 2035 strategy, which focuses on four main areas: energy supply, technical facilities, buildings and the vehicle fleet. In that context, the switch to MAN Lion’s City E buses is not a standalone green project, but a practical step inside a larger emissions-reduction plan.

The infrastructure behind the rollout is substantial as well. Munich Airport has already opened a new eBus depot with 37 charging points. Another 13 charging points are planned in the next stage, followed by 22 more in 2026 and 2027 together with solar-panel canopies. That suggests a long-term rebuild of ground transport operations rather than the introduction of a small pilot fleet.

The choice of vehicle also fits the job. MAN markets the Lion’s City E for demanding transport duty, with a range of up to 380 kilometres under optimal conditions, CCS charging and several body lengths, including 12-metre and 18-metre versions. Munich Airport has previously said electric drive is especially effective on the apron, where routes are shorter and speeds are lower than in regular urban traffic.

The story is not only about decarbonisation and hardware. MAN and Munich Airport are accompanying the rollout with a six-part social media series, Boarding by eBus, built around Patrik, an intern, and Franz, an AeroGround driver. The campaign is designed to explain how apron operations work, how the buses are charged and what makes electric bus use at an airport different. At the same time, it points to another issue affecting the sector: the shortage of drivers. German transport industry groups have repeatedly warned about staffing gaps and an ageing workforce, so presenting the job as modern and future-oriented reflects a wider industry challenge.

The broader context makes the development more significant. AeroGround is a major ground handling operator at Munich Airport, working with more than 100 aviation customers and employing around 2,400 to 2,500 people according to different official materials. Munich Airport has also previously said that fully replacing this transport segment could cut emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

What comes next is clearly defined by the facts already on the table: more buses, more charging infrastructure and a deeper integration of electric vehicles into daily airport operations. In that sense, Boarding by eBus does more than promote a new fleet. It shows how climate targets are starting to reshape the ordinary, ground-level mechanics of air travel, from the passenger ride to the aircraft to the driver’s role behind the wheel.