Chalks out upcoming technological development road map for Mercedes-Benz eCitaro full-electric bus range, including an articulated variant from 2020 and a battery bus with range extender powered by hydrogen-based fuel cell system.
As a component of Daimler Sustainability Strategy 2039, the Daimler Buses took the Busworld Europe 2019 expo to demonstrate sustainable and holistic solutions for public transportation in liveable cities. The company is promoting e-mobility as a ‘complete system’, which includes sophisticated products, Omniplus eMobility service concept, and comprehensive e-mobility consulting, to offer unique and tailored one-stop solutions for the needs of its customers. The expo presentation also included a wide range of latest buses from Mercedes-Benz and Setra sub-brands.
At the press conference, Till Oberwörder, Head of Daimler Buses, while briefing about the current and future portfolio of his company, said, “With our brands Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Omniplus, we are presenting sustainable and innovative solutions for the bus industry of the future at the trade fair. Our presentation there will show that we offer our customers buses and mobility solutions suitable for every purpose”. In the e-mobility sector in particular, city authorities and transport businesses expect tailor-made solutions for local public transport. With our overall system consisting of product and comprehensive support, we are very well positioned here, he added.
Referring to Mercedes-Benz eCitaro full-electric bus, Oberwörder noted, “orders for the eCitaro running into three-digit figures underscore the fact that we are on the right road with this. The portfolio of our product brands is complemented by intelligent and networked service offerings, such as Omniplus On, or an electric mobility consulting service tailored to our customers’ needs”. The company claims that the eCitaro buses are already in regular service in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Oslo and Ystad (Sweden), while deliveries have already been made to Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
To give its customers security regarding their fleet planning, Daimler Buses revealed the upcoming technological developments with regard to eCitaro. As of now, the bus can be ordered with as many as twelve battery packs that can extend the range around 170 kms without recharging along the route. From 2021, the eCitaro will be launched with the next-generation battery and in the second half of 2020 with solid-state batteries (lithium polymer batteries). From 2022 onwards, there will be the battery bus with a range extender consisting of hydrogen-based fuel cell supplying a high-voltage battery with electricity. This will lead to increased operational coverage in regular operations – with the fuel cell as a range extender, almost all lines could then be catered for.
The German bus maker also announced the arrival of an articulated iteration of the bus – named as ‘eCitaro G’ – with 145 passenger seats next year. Besides 150 kW cable charging, rapid charging at around 300 kW using a roof-mounted pantograph will also be available by the end this year. On the other hand, rapid charging via a fixed-position charging contact arms in conjunction with charging rails installed on the bus roof, basically an “inverted pantograph”, is also in preparation, the company said.
E-mobility apart, Daimler’s display also included some of the latest and advanced products under its fold, including Mercedes-Benz branded Intouro, Tourismo 15 RHD high-decker, and Sprinter Travel 75 that received its world premiere. Setra brand of touring coaches included MultiClass S 415 LE, ComfortClass S 515 HD touring high-decker, TopClass S 516 HDH super high decker, and the sophisticated Setra TopClass S 531 DT double-decker bus.