FARGO, ND – The Phoenix Drives PD550-dual inverter is the main power electronics module used in the MAN Metropolis, which will be on display at the eCarTec International Fair for Electric- and Hybrid-Mobility held 23-25 October 2012 in Munich, Germany.

The Metropolis is capable of dealing with heavy-duty transport tasks in a city environment without emissions and almost completely without noise, according to the company.

The PD550-dual, manufactured by Phoenix International – a John Deere company, is ideal for diesel electric series architectures. The ruggedized packaging has the durability to withstand the environments of construction and mining and is a good fit for on-highway truck use.

In order to test the practicality and the economic viability of the vehicle concept, MAN chose one of the toughest types of operation for a heavy truck in an urban environment. The Metropolis will undergo a two-year field test as a refuse collection vehicle for the international environmental-services provider, SUEZ Environnement, in the Antwerp-Brussels region starting at the end of the year.

MAN, in cooperation with Benteler Engineering Services, researched the technical feasibility of the vehicle concept that will be shown at eCarTec.