Over 2,500 Mercedes eCitaro have been delivered so far

Daimler Truck announces it has reached a production milestone with the eCitaro: more than 2,500 units of the low-floor electric bus have been manufactured in Mannheim and delivered since series production began at the end of 2018. Orders have come from a wide range of European countries, with major deliveries to public transport operators in Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.

The Mercedes eCitaro builds on the base of the Citaro city bus, integrating an electric drivetrain and modular battery systems. It was initially introduced as a 12.14-metre solo bus with a maximum battery capacity of 243 kWh. The current generation features NMC3 lithium-ion batteries and offers up to six battery packs, increasing total energy capacity to 588 kWh. A shorter 10.63-metre version, the eCitaro K presented in late 2024, is also available, using the same battery technology.

The eCitaro G articulated model measures 18.13 metres and can be configured with three or four doors. It is fitted with a minimum of four and a maximum of seven battery packs, reaching up to 686 kWh of total capacity. All models can be adapted to varying operational needs, including the choice of two or three doors for solo versions and three or four doors for articulated versions.

According to Daimler Truck, “the innovative thermal management system of the eCitaro reduced the energy required for heating, ventilation and air conditioning by around 40 percent compared to the internal combustion engine Citaro”.

The hydrogen side of the Mercedes eCitaro

The fuel cell version saw the light at the UITP Summit in Barcelona. These models use a 60 kW fuel cell as a range extender, in combination with high-voltage NMC3 batteries. The solo version includes three battery packs with a total of 294 kWh, while the articulated model offers three or four packs for a maximum of 392 kWh. Hydrogen storage tanks are mounted on the roof.

A further development will be introduced in 2025 with the launch of the “H2 mode” operating strategy. In this mode, the vehicle runs solely on hydrogen, using the fuel cell to generate power for the electric drivetrain and recharge the battery while in operation. This eliminates the need for stationary recharging via the grid during daily service.

From 2026, Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce NMC4 battery technology across all eCitaro variants, provided by Polish BMZ. The new generation will provide higher capacity, increased range, and longer service life, even with frequent high-power charging at up to 300 kW.

“Thanks to ongoing further development, the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro has continuously expanded and continued its success story,” says Mirko Sgodda, Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services Daimler Buses. “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. On request, Daimler Buses supports customers in the transition to electromobility with turnkey solutions from a single source consisting of electric buses, charging infrastructure and depot management.”