Eight Years of eCitaro: A Chronicle of Success
Article overview 13
Short Version: Daimler Buses presents the first near-production prototype of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro
Long Version: Daimler Buses presents the first near-production prototype of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro
Timeless and Unmistakable: A Preview of the Design of the Next Mercedes-Benz City Bus Generation
Safety by Design: The Structural Concept of the Next City Bus Generation
More Space, More Comfort: Interior, Passenger Compartment and Climate Control in the New City Bus Generation
Energy with a System: The Battery Technology of the New City Bus Generation
Powerful and Efficient: the Drive System
Protected All Around: The Safety Concept
Less Effort, More Availability: Service for the New City Bus Generation
Technical Data: New Mercedes-Benz City Bus Generation
Omniplus Supports the Next-Generation eCitaro with Digital Services and a Circular Battery Concept
Omniplus Charge: The Brand for Consulting and Services Around Charging Infrastructure
Eight Years of eCitaro: A Chronicle of Success
- 2018 – World premiere of the eCitaro
- 2019 – City Bus of the Year award and sustainability award
- 2020 – Blue Angel certification for the eCitaro
- 2021 – “BEST OF mobility 2021” award
- 2023 – Innovation Award, Electric Bus Champion, and Grand Award Bus
- 2024 – Awards in Germany and Spain
- 2025 – Quality label for bus comfort and German Sustainability Award
- 2026 – eCitaro fuel cell becomes Electric Fuel Cell Bus Champion
2018 – World Premiere of the eCitaro
Ahead of the IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition, Daimler Buses presented the world premiere of the eCitaro in Mainz. Based on the proven Citaro platform, it combines new electric drive technology with a distinctive design and innovative thermal management system for high energy efficiency and reliable range performance. The eCitaro was the first fully electric city bus developed and manufactured in Germany.
2019 – City Bus of the Year Award and Sustainability Award
A jury consisting of 46 experts from transport companies and industry associations selected the eCitaro as City Bus of the Year 2019 in Spain. Together with the Citaro hybrid, the eCitaro also received the international busplaner Sustainability Award. In the “BEST OF mobility 2019” readers’ choice awards, it achieved second place.
2020 – Blue Angel Certification for the eCitaro
In 2020, the eCitaro became the first all-electric city bus to receive the “Blue Angel” environmental label.
2021 – “BEST OF mobility 2021” Award
The eCitaro won the “Public Transport” category in the “BEST OF mobility 2021” readers’ choice awards.
2023 – Innovation Award, Electric Bus Champion, and Grand Award Bus
In the readers’ choice awards of the trade magazine Busplaner, the eCitaro fuel cell G won the Innovation Award in the “Electric Buses: 18 m” category. In the electric bus comparison test conducted by the trade magazine Omnibusspiegel, the eCitaro equipped with NMC3 batteries outperformed five competitors and was named “Electric Bus Champion 2023.” At Busworld in Brussels, the eCitaro additionally received the “Grand Award Bus” and the “Comfort Label.”
2024 – Awards in Germany and Spain
The eCitaro G won the electric bus comparison test conducted by Omnibusspiegel and was named “Electric Bus Champion 2024.” A professional jury consisting of more than 800 representatives from transport companies and technical experts in Spain awarded the eCitaro fuel cell the titles “Bus of the Year” and “Ecological Bus of the Year.”
2025 – Quality Label for Bus Comfort and German Sustainability Award
A 30-member jury awarded the eCitaro the “Excellence Label” in the Bus Comfort category at the Busworld Vehicle Awards. In addition, the eCitaro family received the German Sustainability Award 2026 in recognition of its contribution to the decarbonization of urban public transport.
2026 – eCitaro fuel cell Becomes Electric Fuel Cell Bus Champion 2026
The eCitaro fuel cell won the first fuel-cell bus comparison test conducted by the trade magazine Omnibusspiegel and was named “Electric Fuel Cell Bus Champion 2026.”