The new Mercedes Benz eCitaro K: Compact eMobility

• Versatile specialist for scheduled-service buses with low passenger volumes
• Four, five or six battery packs with a maximum of 588 kWh
• Two or three doors available
• Highly efficient climate control and a proven drive system
• New safety and assistance systems
• Optional: MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors
• Omniplus: digital is the norm
• Daimler Buses Solutions: turnkey eMobility ecosystems from a single source

Daimler Buses is expanding the eCitaro model range and, in addition to the 12.14-metre eCitaro and the 18.13-metre eCitaro G, is now offering a short version of the popular, all-electric low-floor bus: the 10.63-metre Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro K. With a turning circle of only 17.28 metres, the new eCitaro K feels at home on narrow, winding routes in suburbs and older towns. Its specialities include operating with a limited number of passengers. But the compact eCitaro K also demonstrates its advantages on Sundays, at off-peak hours or as a booster during peak hours. With its transport capacity of up to 84 passengers, however, it is also equipped for larger transport tasks.

Despite its compact size, the eCitaro K is a fully-fledged public service bus with all the qualities of its larger siblings. With a wheelbase of 4,398 millimetres - shorter than the eCitaro by around 1.5 metres -, the eCitaro K offers outstanding manoeuvrability. And yet its operating radius remains large – thanks to the highly efficient current generation of NMC batteries and thermal management.

Four, five or six battery packs with a maximum of 588 kWh

The modular system enables different equipment and batteries to be combined, thus ensuring the right configuration for every requirement. The eCitaro K is available with a minimum of four and a maximum of six battery packs, with a total capacity of up to 588 kWh. These are divided into two packs in the former engine compartment and two, three or four packs on the roof. With the maximum capacity of the current NMC3 battery generation, the eCitaro K guarantees a range of around 400 kilometres under favourable conditions^[1]. With the NMC4 generation, which is available from the outset, the range increases to up to 500 kilometres.

Thanks to the NMC batteries’ high energy capacity, the eCitaro is also ideally suited for long routes and subsequent charging at the socket in the depot. In this process, a charging capacity of up to 150 kW is possible. As with the eCitaro and the eCitaro G, the charging sockets can be positioned either on the left or right above the front axle, in the rear or in the area at the front of the vehicle. A maximum of two positions are possible per vehicle. Two eCitaro buses can also be charged sequentially, i.e. one after the other, at a charger with two charging points. This avoids charging peaks, saves infrastructure costs and still offers the operator the necessary operational flexibility. For even longer routes, intermediate charging using a pantograph or charging rails is also possible in the eCitaro K. In this case, the charging capacity is up to 300 kW.

Two or three doors available

The Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro K is a bona fide eCitaro. This is already evident in its characteristic design – from the elegant front section to the tail lights. For easy entry and fast passenger access, the short eCitaro is available with either two or three doors. The layout of the passenger compartment is identical to that of the Citaro and eCitaro. Just as the passengers don’t have to adapt, neither does the driver of the eCitaro K. The cockpit and operating concept of the city bus correspond to those seen in the eCitaro, ensuring quick driver changeovers, as usual.

Highly efficient climate control and a proven drive system

For maximum efficiency, the eCitaro K has a state-of-the-art CO2 air conditioning system with sophisticated thermal management, which runs with the refrigerant R744. The EvoThermatic Basic air conditioning system is also available for the eCitaro K for use in moderate temperatures and the EvoThermatic High Comfort air conditioning system is available as an additional option for use in hot countries. These two air conditioning systems are operated with the proven refrigerant R134a. All air conditioning systems available for the eCitaro K feature a highly efficient heat pump.

The eCitaro K’s drive system is based on the optimised ZF AVE 130 electric portal axle with electric motors on the wheel hubs. The motors’ peak output is 2 x 125 kW, while the torque is 2 x 485 Nm. The chassis is equipped with the tried-and-tested roll and pitch control system.

New safety and assistance systems

Like all other Citaro and eCitaro models, the eCitaro K is equipped with a wide range of assistance systems as standard. These include Sideguard Assist 2, which monitors both the front passenger and driver’s sides and warns the driver if there is a risk of collision with pedestrians or cyclists, and Frontguard Assist, which warns of obstacles or people immediately in front of the vehicle. In addition, the intelligent speed limit assistant Traffic Sign Assist, the TPM tyre pressure monitoring system and the Attention Assist system (AtAs) are on board as standard. The emergency braking assistant Preventive Brake Assist 2 with extended pedestrian and cyclist detection, which was developed specifically for city buses, is available as an option in the eCitaro K.

Optional: MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors

On request, the eCitaro K is available with cameras instead of the previous exterior mirrors. The advantages of the MirrorCam camera system are obvious: an extended field of vision for the driver through the windows and significantly better visibility to the rear in the dark, thanks to residual light amplification. The small surface area of the camera lens is less susceptible to dirt and, thanks to its position in the camera wing, is better protected against weather effects. Compared with conventional mirrors, the MirrorCam barely or only slightly protrudes beyond the vehicle edges. This means easier manoeuvring and less damage.

Omniplus: digital is the norm

As with the Citaro and eCitaro, owners of an eCitaro K also benefit from comprehensive service from the Omniplus service brand. These services not only include maintenance and repair, but also the supply of spare parts, for example. Dealers can purchase parts 24/7 from the Omniplus eShop. Increasingly, they can now also obtain these directly on site from a 3D printer. Bespoke service contracts provide security and cost transparency, as does the diverse and ever-growing range of digital services from Omniplus On, which have become an indispensable tool for many bus operators to improve the availability and economic efficiency of their fleet.

From Omniplus On monitor Performance Analysis – which will also be available for electric buses in the future – to Omniplus On Uptime  pro, an offer for companies with their own workshops, through to the Remote Charge Control function for electric buses, Omniplus is continuously expanding its digital services and connecting them with new services that transport companies can use to further improve the economy and availability of their fleet. Omniplus On provides different data packages for fleet operators with an existing fleet management system. Customers can choose from 90 to over 350 data points. In addition, a full remote diagnosis can analyse the vehicle status. Transport operators can thus integrate the vehicle data relevant to them into their existing systems via an interface – easily and without the need to retrofit additional hardware.

Daimler Buses Solutions: turnkey eMobility ecosystems from a single source

The switch to electromobility requires a lot of expertise and careful preparation. If transport operators want to use electric buses successfully, they need to consider their electromobility system from a holistic perspective. In cooperation with the experts from Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, Daimler Buses can supply the entire eMobility ecosystem from a single source on request: from individually configured electric buses to the complete infrastructure for the depot, including construction measures, electrical installations, chargers, battery storage, charging management system and other digital services.