The new NMC4 battery in the Mercedes Benz eCitaro: More capacity, longer service life
Overview 11
Daimler Buses is presenting its latest vehicle developments, battery solutions and services for electric bus fleets at the eMobility Days
Near-production prototype: The new Mercedes Benz eIntouro: Electric mobility for interurban and excursion routes
The new Mercedes Benz eCitaro K: Compact eMobility
Mercedes Benz eCitaro fuel cell: “H2 mode”: new operating mode for all-hydrogen operation
The new NMC4 battery in the Mercedes Benz eCitaro: More capacity, longer service life
New range specifications for electric buses from Daimler Buses: Realistic data thanks to new battery models
Daimler Buses Solutions: Multi-faceted electromobility from a single source
Omniplus: New digital services for electric buses
Vehicle profile - The Mercedes Benz eIntouro M exhibition vehicle: Electrifying the interurban line
Vehicle profile - The Mercedes Benz eCitaro K exhibition vehicle: Compact eMobility
Vehicle profile - The Mercedes Benz eCitaro G fuel cell exhibition vehicle: New “H2 mode” operating strategy (SSB customer vehicle)
- Proven large-scale production technology
- Higher power density, longer range
- Long service life despite fast charging
- More safety thanks to monitoring even when idling
- Sustainable lifecycle management for NMC batteries
Buyers of the all-electric Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro city bus should always benefit from the latest battery technology and the rapid progress in the development of the energy storage units. Since the presentation of the first eCitaro, Daimler Buses has consistently fulfilled this promise with the switch from the NMC1 battery type to the second-generation NMC2, right up to the latest NMC3 battery type. The next step is now the switch to the fourth generation of lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries.
The new NMC4 battery generation – the successor to the current NMC3 technology – will combine a high energy density, which facilitates greater ranges in electric buses, and a very long service life. The new NMC4 batteries will be used in the eCitaro, eCitaro G, eCitaro K and eCitaro fuel cell from early 2026.
Proven large-scale production technology
The NMC4 battery represents proven technology from the battery system expert BMZ Poland, a company belonging to BMZ Holding. It has already been manufactured in large-scale production for other applications since 2022, and BMZ is currently working together with Daimler Buses to enhance it for use in buses. Unlike NMC3 batteries, the individual cells of the NMC4 battery are not cylindrical, but prism-shaped. Twelve cells make up each module, and 15 modules form a battery pack. The design of the NMC4 battery packs corresponds to that of the NMC3 battery model currently in use. The new battery generation is therefore compatible with the eCitaro in series production without any modifications to the vehicle. In the event that all battery packs in an existing eCitaro vehicle need to be replaced, even retrofitting is conceivable thanks to the compatibility between the NMC generations.
Higher power density, longer range
Due to change in the composition of the cell chemistry, the energy density in the NMC4 battery is nearly six percent higher compared to the NMC3, thus ensuring higher storage capacity with the same installation space. While a fully charged NMC3 battery pack contains 98 kWh of energy, the NMC4 battery has 111 kWh of energy. In addition, a higher proportion of the stored energy can actually be used for driving. Consequently, the possible ranges that can be achieved without recharging are also significantly increased.
Long service life despite fast charging
Another important benefit for customers is the longer service life of the NMC4 battery and the resulting longer mileage of the eCitaro. Fewer battery replacements and less need for recycling contribute to sustainability and a reduction in the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the eCitaro.
The longer service life of the battery is achieved in part thanks to gentle, slow charging with a maximum charging capacity of 150 kW. However, the cell chemistry of the new battery is particularly beneficial during regular rapid charging processes with up to 300 kW charging capacity and can also impress with an extended service life in these applications. Daimler Buses is taking this opportunity to guarantee a service life of eight years for the new NMC4 batteries and to offer an optional extended warranty with a term of twelve years.
Omniplus as a reliable partner throughout the entire lifecycle
Daimler Buses pursues a circular and sustainable approach to battery lifecycle management and offers suitable solutions for respective customer requirements via the Omniplus service brand. The modular concept allows the batteries to be repaired and overhauled during their initial service life. Subsequent use of the batteries outside their first purpose in the vehicle extends their service life by a second service life in an energy storage system. At the end of the entire service life, the high-voltage batteries are recycled with the aim of recovering raw materials.
More safety thanks to monitoring even when idling
The new battery generation can also impress in terms of safety. For example, battery monitoring in the NMC4 battery, i.e. thermal monitoring and alarms in the event of overheating, not only works when the operating system is switched on, as in previous vehicles, but also when the vehicle is idling.