- Four battery packs, six hydrogen cylinders, two drive axles
- Numerous assistance systems including 270° camera system
- Generous and attractive passenger compartment
A test drive in an all-electric articulated city bus with a fuel cell is currently still a rare occasion – Daimler Buses makes it possible. For this purpose, a Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro G fuel cell is available in the outdoor area of the Busworld Europe 2023 trade fair. Accompanied by experts, interested parties can experience the next step in the transformation of local public transport with buses.
Four battery packs, six hydrogen cylinders, two drive axles
In addition to four battery packs with a total capacity of 392 kWh, the city bus features six H2 cylinders, each with a capacity of five kilogrammes, to supply the 60 kW fuel cell. The vehicle is driven by two low-floor portal axles with electric motors located near the wheels, each with an output of 250 kW. As a result, the eCitaro G fuel cell achieves a range of around 400 kilometres in average conditions.
Numerous assistance systems including 270° camera system
The exhibition vehicle has been equipped with numerous assistance systems to support drivers and protect the vehicle against accidents. Noteworthy features include standard roll and pitch control, the Sideguard Assist turning assistant, the Preventive Brake Assist active braking assistance system and the 270° camera system. In addition, the exhibition bus is equipped with the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) which outputs audible signals to indicate its position, thus drawing the attention of pedestrians to the virtually silent eCitaro G fuel cell.
Generous and attractive passenger compartment
Three electrically operated, inward-swinging doors lead into the passenger compartment. The vehicle interior is air-conditioned fully automatically as standard by the highly efficient EvoThermatik HP basic system. Passengers are seated on 47 seats with City Star Eco upholstery which are manufactured in-house. Grab bars in Evo Steel, orange ceiling handrails and the designer interior ceiling with innovative lighting create emphasis. Passengers are provided with information on 29-inch TFT monitors. They can connect and operate end devices at a total of 15 twin USB sockets.
The driver benefits from an air-conditioned seat. He can rely on the familiar cockpit design. Instead of the usual rev counter, a powermeter in the instrument panel shows the energy flow of the eCitaro G fuel cell and a further display indicates the fill level of the hydrogen tanks in percent.
Technical data: Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro G fuel cell
Length/width/height | 18,125/2550/3400 mm |
Wheelbase | 5900 + 5990 mm |
Front/rear overhang | 2805/3430 mm |
Turning circle | Approx. 22,970 mm |
Standing height, centre aisle | 2313 mm (front), 2021 mm (rear) |
Battery technology/capacity | NMC3/392 kWh |
Charging power | Max. 150 kW |
Fuel cell, output | Max. 60 kW (Toyota, 2nd generation) |
Hydrogen supply | 6 H2 cylinders with 5 kg each, roof-mounted system (type 4 containers) |
Tyre size (front/rear) | 275/70 R 22.5/ |
Permissible gross vehicle weight | 30,000 kg |
Permissible axle load (front/centre/rear) | 7500/10,000/13,000 kg |
Motor/engine type | Three-phase asynchronous motors |
Continuous output | 125 kW per motor |
Max. torque | 485 Nm per motor |
Gear ratio in wheel head | i = 22.66, max. torque at wheel 4 x 11,000 Nm |
Front axle | ZF RL 82 EC, independent wheel suspension |
Rear axle | 2 xZF AVE 130, low-floor portal axle |