Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Surpasses 2,500 Deliveries with Expanded Battery and Fuel-Cell Options

Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Surpasses 2,500 Deliveries with Expanded Battery and Fuel-Cell Options

(IN BRIEF) Since 2018, over 2,500 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses have been delivered from Mannheim, serving cities across Europe. The line now includes solo, compact, and articulated models with battery capacities up to 686 kWh, fuel-cell range-extenders, and an upcoming “H₂ mode” for pure hydrogen operation. From 2026, next-gen NMC4 batteries will further boost range and durability. The eCitaro’s innovative thermal management slashes HVAC energy use by 40 percent, while a comprehensive safety suite—standard radar assists, crash-proof battery modules, and optional surround-view cameras—ensures passenger and driver protection. Flexible charging options (plug-in, pantograph, rails) and integrated digital services round out Daimler Buses’ end-to-end electromobility offering.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN/MANNHEIM, 30-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Since series production began in late 2018, more than 2,500 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro low-floor electric buses have been built and delivered from the Mannheim plant, underscoring its position as Europe’s benchmark for sustainable urban mobility. Major orders from cities such as Stuttgart, Hamburg, Bonn, Dresden, Bremen, Wiesbaden, Nuremberg and Mannheim, as well as operators across France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and beyond, attest to the eCitaro’s widespread appeal.

“Continuous refinement has propelled the eCitaro’s success,” explains Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services at Daimler Buses. “We’ve broadened our drive options, boosted safety features, and extended range—making it a reliable, cost-efficient, and highly attractive choice for public transport operators. On top of the vehicles themselves, we offer turnkey electrification packages—including buses, charging infrastructure, and depot management—from a single source.”

Building on the iconic Citaro platform, the eCitaro family now spans multiple lengths and powertrains:

• Solo models: The original 12.14 m bus has grown from a single NMC3 battery pack (243 kWh) to up to six packs totaling 588 kWh. The compact 10.63 m eCitaro K offers the same energy with a tighter footprint.
• Articulated versions: The 18.13 m eCitaro G can be fitted with four to seven batteries, delivering up to 686 kWh.

In 2023, Mercedes-Benz introduced fuel-cell variants of both the solo and articulated buses, each equipped with a 60 kW range-extending fuel cell and hydrogen storage on the roof. These models pair three to four NMC3 battery packs (294–392 kWh) with hydrogen-powered electricity generation, boosting their no-charge range. Beginning in 2025, an “H₂ mode” will allow fuel-cell buses to operate purely on hydrogen—recharging batteries on the move without grid hookups. And from 2026 onwards, all eCitaros will transition to next-generation NMC4 cells for even greater capacity, range, and battery longevity under rapid-charge regimes up to 300 kW.

A key differentiator is the eCitaro’s advanced thermal management, which cuts HVAC energy demand by around 40 percent compared to diesel Citaros. Optimized battery temperature control and heat-pump cabin heating translate into lower consumption, longer range, enhanced performance, and faster charging.

Driver comfort and safety remain paramount: the cockpit mirrors the familiar Citaro layout, requiring no retraining, while a new power meter replaces the tachometer. Fuel-cell models add a hydrogen-level gauge. A suite of standard assistance systems—including Sideguard Assist II, Frontguard Assist, reversing camera, Traffic Sign Assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, and Attention Assist—complements crash-tested, crash-proof battery modules and protected high-voltage wiring. Optional 360° (solo) and 270° (articulated) camera systems, Preventive Brake Assist 2, and the MirrorCam system further enhance visibility and collision avoidance.

Finally, the eCitaro’s modular charging architecture supports depot plug-in charging, opportunity charging via pantograph or charging rails, and multiple socket positions—all designed for seamless electrification. Backed by Daimler Buses’ end-to-end electromobility solutions and new Digital Services Packages, the eCitaro is delivered ready for the digital, zero-emission era.

Media Contacts:

Nada Filipovic
Spokesperson Mercedes-Benz Buses
nada.filipovic​@daimlertruck.com
+49 160 8614813

Peter Smodej
Head of Communications Product & Corporate Mercedes-Benz Trucks / Daimler Buses
peter.smodej​@daimlertruck.com
+49 176 30936446

SOURCE: Daimler Truck AG