EVWire brief: More than 2,500 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro low-floor electric buses have now rolled off the Mannheim line and entered service with transit agencies across Europe. The count spans deliveries since series production started at the end of 2018.
Context:
In 2018, the eCitaro was initially launched as a 12.14-metre-long solo bus with a battery capacity of up to 243 Wh. Today, it is equipped with four to a maximum of six battery packs from the third NMC3 lithium-ion battery generation with the main components nickel, manganese and cobalt oxide (NMC) and a total capacity of up to 588 kWh.
From 2026, all Mercedes-Benz eCitaro variants will also be equipped with new NMC4 batteries, which will enable even more capacity, higher ranges and longer service life even with regular quick charging processes with up to 300 kW charging capacity.
Flexible charging options cover depot plug-in, pantograph or charging rails, and Daimler offers turnkey infrastructure and digital fleet services alongside the buses.
Major orders in Europe have so far come from operators in Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and others.
Mercedes reached 1,000th eCitaro mark in June 2023.
Quotes:
“Thanks to ongoing further development, the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro has continuously expanded and continued its success story. We have continuously improved it in terms of drive variants, safety and range – and the success speaks for itself: the eCitaro is attractive, safe, reliable and economical to operate.”
Source: Daimler Truck
