Mercedes-Benz at the 2023 Global Public Transport Summit: eCitaro fuel cell series production ramp-up

• Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell: vast range with a fuel cell
• Before production start-up: Safety and functionality of the eCitaro fuel cell
  on the test stand
• Turnkey electromobility from a single source
• Harmonized TiGR data interface now at Daimler Buses for the first time
• Omniplus expands its range of digital services for electrically powered buses

Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Barcelona – Mercedes-Benz will be showcasing solutions for the challenges of current and future transport companies at Global Public Transport Summit 2023 (GPTS) in Barcelona. The focus will be on sustainability, profitability and digitalization of electric mobility in city buses. The eCitaro fuel cell with fuel cell covers around 400 kilometers without recharging. Before the start of series production, which coincides with GPTS, the new fuel cell version of the eCitaro will have undergone numerous, complex tests. Electromobility is now available from a single source ex works as well as the accompanying digital services. The new TiGR standardized data interface plays an important role in data integration into customer-specific software.

Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell: vast range with a fuel cell

As a solo bus with average requirements, it covers a distance of around 400 kilometers, as an articulated bus the range is around 350 kilometers. The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell also covers the long range demands of transport operators and can thus seamlessly replace city buses with combustion engines. The basis is a battery-electric drive. The fuel cell with an output of 60 kW serves as a hydrogen power generator to extend the range. Thanks to the favorable weight distribution, this technology enables a high passenger capacity. Because of the long range, opportunity charging along the route is not envisaged. Charging is always carried out by plug in the depot. The eCitaro fuel cell in the articulated bus variant can be ordered as of the GPTS.

Before production start-up: Safety and functionality of the eCitaro fuel cell on the test stand

Before the start of series production in June 2023, the eCitaro fuel cell has had to pass numerous endurance tests and functional tests. The focus has been on the new fuel cell and hydrogen system. The hydrogen tanks have already been tested for fire, impact and temperature resistance in accordance with the new UN ECE-R 134 standard. All components as well as the fastening system on the roof have undergone vibration and sled tests that simulate an impact. The new thermal management, which profitably uses the heat input from the fuel cell, has completed extensive laboratory and practical tests in extremely hot and extremely cold environments. The new components of the eCitaro fuel cell have successfully passed all tests.

Turnkey electromobility from a single source

The eCitaro and the eCitaro fuel cell are the focal point of city bus fleet electrification. However, they can only achieve their full performance capability by embedding them in an overall system. Daimler Buses, therefore, not only supplies the individually configured eCitaro, but also the power supply equipment, charging management and fleet management system on request. This is provided in modules or all from a single source, including construction work for the new building or conversion of depots, from planning and construction measures to electrical installations. Experienced partners are involved – this means turnkey e-mobility from a single source.

Harmonized TiGR data interface now at Daimler Buses for the first time

With the TiGR virtual data interface, Daimler Buses is one of the first vehicle manufacturers in Europe to offer a data interface for remote bus monitoring that is certified according to the universal, internationally applicable standard defined by ITxPT. The ITxPT organization co-initiated by the International Association for Public Transport (UITP) has developed this internationally universal data interface so that transport operators with fleets can access a homogeneous database for the entire fleet. In addition, the virtual interface provides more data than the physical FMS interface. The new TiGR data interface improves the informative value of vehicle analyses and helps to further improve the profitability of the fleet.

Omniplus expands range of digital services
for electrically powered buses

Omniplus offers a wide range of services that support the operation of electric buses. The Omniplus On portal already provides real-time monitoring of the energy consumption and the current range of the eCitaro and eCitaro fuel cell. The Omniplus On Uptime pro service is aimed specifically at transport companies with their own workshop. This digital solution provides both fleet management and the workshop with important diagnostic information in real time. With the new Omniplus eProcurement interfaces, the customer’s own ERP system can be connected to the Omniplus eShop, which makes the procurement of spare parts much easier. Training courses and eService contracts supplement Omniplus’s extensive range.