First eCitaro electric bus delivered

The first Mercedes Benz eCitaro electric bus has been delivered, to German public transport firm Hamburger Hochbahn AG.

It runs about 1000 buses in Hamburg and ordered 20 eCitaro buses with the plan to get only emission-free buses in 2020 and beyond.

Daimler Buses head Till Oberworder handed over the first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro to Hamburger Hochbahn AG board chairman Henrik Falk with Hamburg mayor Dr Peter Tschentscher also present.

“In producing the new eCitaro, we have developed a well-thought-out and sophisticated urban bus concept which will make a decisive contribution towards promoting electromobility in towns and cities,” Oberworder says. “We are delighted to be able to deliver the very first series production vehicle today.”

The company is now aiming to complete the 20-bus order.

The powertrain features electric motors on two axles, and the battery system is modular and split between a pack at the back on the floor and another pack on the roof at the front.

Lithium-ion batteries with a total 243kWh provide the power. They are split between up to 10 modules, each supplying around 25kWh. Depending upon customer requirements, another two or four battery modules are mounted on the eCitaro’s roof.

The e-bus has a range of between 150 to 250km and is recharged at its depot.