Short Version: Daimler Buses presents the first near-production prototype of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro

• Eight years of eCitaro: from pioneer to benchmark in the electric city bus segment
• New second-generation battery-electric vehicle platform: designed as an all-electric vehicle from the ground up
• New battery technology with LFP cell chemistry and a modular compact battery system
• New design with a distinctive Mercedes-Benz look
• Digital cockpit, comprehensive safety concept and service-friendly architecture
• Omniplus and Omniplus Charge support operators with digital services and charging infrastructure solutions
• Market launch from 2028, ten years after the debut of the first eCitaro

Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Daimler Buses is presenting the first near-production prototype of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro at the eMobility Days 3.0 in Munich. Developed entirely from scratch, the vehicle has been consistently designed as a fully electric bus.

New battery-electric vehicle platform: designed from the ground up for electric drive.

The next generation of the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro is being developed from the ground up as an all-electric bus for the first time. It is based on an entirely new vehicle platform designed specifically for electric drive. This architecture covers vehicle lengths ranging from a ten-metre solo bus to an 18-metre articulated bus and uses components from the Mercedes-Benz Trucks portfolio that have been adapted specifically for bus applications. The dedicated electric-drive design reduces the unladen weight of the articulated bus by around 750 kilograms. The new electronics platform also enables over-the-air updates and the subsequent activation of optional functions.

Timeless and Unmistakable: New Design with a Distinctive Mercedes-Benz Look

Daimler Buses is also breaking new ground in design. The designers have created a distinctive, timeless design language while drawing inspiration from iconic Mercedes-Benz models such as the O321 bus and the W123 passenger car series. The starting point was the idea of the passenger compartment as a functional “tube”, whose character is primarily defined by distinctive front and rear styling elements. A newly interpreted grille element featuring the Mercedes-Benz star and a characteristic three-stripe light signature for daytime running lights, position lights and indicators define the front end.

At the rear, patented LED lights with six lighting cells create a unique light signature. Identically designed wheel arches at the front and rear, together with the design feature showcased on the displayed show vehicle as the “Abbraccio”, visually connecting the front and rear with the central body section, complete the prototype’s appearance.

New Body and Safety Structure

Daimler Buses has completely redesigned the body shell, roof and underbody. A modular architecture with standardized front and rear modules enables seven vehicle variants: three lengths as low-floor city buses (10.63, 12.13 and 18.13 metres) and four lengths in low-entry configuration (10.63, 12.34, 13.08 and 14.68 metres), covering both urban and intercity operations. A new multi-layer sandwich roof with a height of approximately 42 millimetres instead of the previous 70 millimetres has a positive effect on overall vehicle height and reduces vehicle weight by up to 100 kilograms for solo buses and 150 kilograms for articulated buses. With eight compact battery packs, the new generation of city buses weighs around 13,050 kilograms, compared with around 13,800 kilograms for the current eCitaro with five NMC4 battery packs. This represents a weight reduction of around 750 kilograms. A straight sidewall design enables a high degree of standardization of the roof and underbody across all vehicle variants. Defined crash zones protect the high-voltage technology in the rear section, while a front impact protection system is used at the front, a concept that has already proven its worth in the current eCitaro.

Battery Technology: LFP Cell Chemistry and Modular Compact Batteries

Daimler Buses is completely revising its battery technology. Instead of NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cells, the new generation will use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cell chemistry. The basic building block is a standardized compact battery pack with a capacity of around 50 kWh. Depending on vehicle length and operational requirements, solo buses can be equipped with six to twelve battery packs, while articulated buses can accommodate eight to fourteen packs distributed across the underbody and roof. The basis for the high-voltage system is the new battery-electric vehicle platform concept. Up to three combinable charging interfaces, CCS2, pantograph and charging rail, provide maximum charging flexibility with charging capacities of up to 450 kW.

Powerful and Efficient: The Drivetrain

Daimler Buses uses two coordinated systems for the drive concepts: The low-floor version features the ZF AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle with wheel-mounted electric motors and a system output of up to 360 kW, significantly more than the approximately 280 kW peak output of the current axle. Thanks to its high output, the articulated bus requires only one driven axle, resulting in a lower unladen weight. The new MMTI system (Modular Multi Torque Interface) controls recuperation and braking individually at each wheel and in real time for the first time. This improves energy efficiency, reduces brake wear and enhances driving stability. By contrast, the low-entry version uses a central motor in combination with the Mercedes-Benz RO 440 rear axle and enables speeds of up to 100 km/h for interurban operation. At the front, independent wheel suspension provides a wide centre aisle and balanced handling.

Interior, Climate Control and Driver’s Workplace

The removal of the traditional engine tower creates additional space, allowing a fully low-floor passenger compartment extending all the way to the rear. With ThexMO (Thermal Exchange Module), Daimler Buses introduces a fully integrated thermal management system using natural refrigerant propane (R290). The system combines heating, ventilation and air conditioning while actively utilizing waste heat from the drivetrain and auxiliary consumers. The new cockpit has been developed based on extensive feedback from drivers, who evaluated various operating concepts in virtual reality workshops.

The two large 12-inch displays of the new Multimedia Cockpit Interactive combine driving information and operating functions, while customizable driver and depot profiles and a flexible software platform enable future features to be added later. The instrument panel and steering wheel offer greater adjustability for improved ergonomics.

Protected All Around: The Safety Concept

An integrated safety concept consisting of a crash-resistant vehicle structure and a comprehensive range of assistance systems protects drivers, passengers and other road users. These systems include the active Preventive Brake Assist 2 with pedestrian detection, the radar-based Sideguard Assist 2 turning assistant, Frontguard Assist for close-range monitoring when moving off, and the camera-based Attention Assist 2, which detects signs of fatigue or distraction. MMTI, the individual-wheel drive control system newly developed by Daimler Buses, works in conjunction with ZF's new AxTrax 2 LF portal axle to ensure optimum traction utilisation, particularly under the most demanding road conditions. For the first time, the articulated bus is also equipped with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), providing additional safety in demanding driving situations.

Serviceability and Charging Infrastructure

A high degree of component commonality across the entire model range reduces maintenance effort and increases spare parts availability. With Omniplus, Daimler Buses provides Europe’s largest bus-specific service network as well as digital services such as over-the-air software updates and activation of additional vehicle functionalities. The Omniplus Charge brand supports transport operators from feasibility studies and planning through construction and day-to-day operation of charging infrastructure, including brand-independent charging management and its own public fast-charging network.

Market Launch from 2028

Following its prototype presentation at eMobility Days 3.0, the new city bus generation will celebrate its official world premiere at Busworld Europe in Brussels in October 2027.

Daimler Buses plans to launch the new generation in 2028, exactly ten years after the world premiere of the first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro in 2018.