• Comprehensive solutions for electromobility in focus
• The new NMC4 battery in the Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro: more capacity, longer service life
• Higher energy density, increased range
• Long service life even with fast charging
• Enhanced safety through monitoring even in idle mode
• Long range, customizable battery configurations, significant capacity increase
• Omniplus CHARGE: complete electromobility solutions from a single source
• Omniplus: digital services tailored specifically to electric buses

Leinfelden-Echterdingen – At mobility move 2026, the electric bus symposium and trade fair organized by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), held from March10 to 12 in Berlin, Daimler Buses will showcase comprehensive and locally CO₂‑free solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s electromobility. The event is considered a major industry gathering where public transport professionals from across Germany meet annually to learn about the latest developments and exchange insights on electromobility solutions.

This year at mobility move, Daimler Buses will exhibit a Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro equipped with the latest NMC4 battery generation, offering higher capacity in the same installation space and increased range. At the booth in Convention Hall II of the Estrel Hotel Berlin, visitors can also explore the extensive digital service offerings of Omniplus ON, as well as the eMobility systems from Omniplus CHARGE and training programs for workshop staff and drivers.

New NMC4 battery in the Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro: more capacity, longer service life

The fourth generation of lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries—successor to the current NMC3 technology—combines high energy density for extended e‑bus range with exceptional longevity. Starting this year, the new NMC4 batteries will be used in the Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro low‑floor city buses, including the eCitaro G and eCitaro K.

Higher energy density, increased range

A revised cell chemistry composition enables the NMC4 battery to achieve nearly 13 percent higher energy density compared to the NMC3 battery, resulting in more storage capacity within the same installation space. While a fully charged NMC3 battery pack stores 98 kWh of energy, the NMC4 battery provides 111 kWh. In addition, a larger share of this stored energy can be utilized for driving. Consequently, the achievable range without recharging increases significantly.

The structural design of the NMC4 battery packs matches that of the current NMC3 packs, making the new generation fully compatible with the existing Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro series without requiring vehicle modifications. Even retrofitting eCitaro vehicles in operation is possible if a full battery pack replacement becomes necessary.

Long service life despite fast charging

Customers also benefit from the extended service life of the NMC4 battery, resulting in higher mileage potential for the eCitaro. Fewer battery replacements and reduced recycling demand support sustainability and contribute to lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).

The battery’s long service life is maintained not only under gentle, slower charging at up to 150 kW but also during regular fast‑charging sessions of up to 300 kW. The improved cell chemistry ensures durability even under these demanding conditions. Daimler Buses guarantees a 10‑year lifespan for the new NMC4 batteries and additionally offers optional customer‑specific coverage of up to 15 years.

Enhanced safety through monitoring in idle mode

Safety has also been further improved with the new battery generation. The battery management system — responsible for thermal monitoring and triggering alerts in the event of overheating — now operates not only when the operating system is active, but also when the NMC4 battery is in standby mode. In addition, Daimler Buses highlights that this functionality is part of the digital service Omniplus ON Battery Monitoring. Since Busworld 2025, the system has featured an automatic battery warning function that immediately initiates a call to the customer’s stored phone number as well as designated contact persons whenever a critical event is detected. This ensures that potentially hazardous situations are communicated without delay, significantly increasing operational safety, supporting fire‑prevention measures, and meeting requirements increasingly recognized by insurance providers as an effective risk‑mitigation measure.

Long range, customizable battery configurations, significant capacity increase

For eCitaro models equipped with NMC4 batteries beginning in 2026, multiple battery configuration options will remain available for the solo bus, the shorter eCitaro K, and the articulated eCitaro G. As before, the eCitaro solo bus and eCitaro K can be equipped with a minimum of four and a maximum of six battery packs, though now reaching a total capacity of up to 666 kWh. The articulated eCitaro G will feature between four and seven battery packs, totaling up to 777 kWh.

Maximum battery configurations enable the eCitaro solo bus and eCitaro K to achieve a reliable range of up to 600 kilometers, while the eCitaro G can reach up to 450 kilometers—covering the majority of daily operational requirements for city buses.

Omniplus CHARGE: complete electromobility from a single source

Operators of the Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro benefit not only from the extended range and longer battery life of the NMC4 generation but also from the comprehensive services offered by OMNIplus. With the largest bus‑specific service network in Europe, Omniplus already supports more than 130 specialized eBus service centers with high‑voltage‑qualified staff and appropriate equipment—and this number continues to grow.

A growing number of Daimler Buses customers are relying on comprehensive charging infrastructure services. Under the Omniplus CHARGE brand, Daimler Buses provides consulting, planning, construction, and service for electromobility and hydrogen infrastructure. Working closely with Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH and other partners, Daimler Buses can deliver the entire eMobility ecosystem from a single source: from feasibility studies to custom‑configured e‑buses and complete e‑mobility infrastructure, including construction work, electrical installations, chargers with maintenance and service, battery storage, charging management systems, and additional digital services.

New to the portfolio is the Charging‑as‑a‑Service offering, where Daimler Buses assumes full responsibility for building and operating the charging infrastructure, enabling customers to conveniently charge at their own depot with monthly billing.

Omniplus: digital services tailored to electric buses

Digital services are becoming increasingly important, enabling operators to make bus fleets more efficient, economical, and secure. The Omniplus ON portal offers an extensive range of digital solutions—from Uptime and Uptime pro remote diagnostics to tracking services, consumption and driving‑style analysis, and the “Remote Control Functions” for charging and preconditioning electric buses.

With the Digital Services Package, all newly delivered Daimler Buses vehicles receive many digital services as a temporary free option. For electric buses, these services are free of charge for six years.

New to the offering is Omniplus ON monitor Tracking Services Plus, which enables speed‑based geofencing. This allows vehicle position data to be used for automated activation of the speed limiter—improving safety and reducing driver workload.