Daimler Buses reveals eCitaro fuel cell range extender

Daimler Buses has detailed the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell, a battery-electric city bus fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell as a range extender, targeting a range of around 600 kilometres in solo configuration without intermediate charging or refuelling. The e-bus combines a 295 kWh NMC3 lithium-ion battery with a roof-mounted 60 kW Toyota second-generation fuel cell, and is aimed at transit operators requiring extended daily ranges where intermediate charging is impractical.

The battery is the primary energy source, charged via plug-in at up to 150 kW. The fuel cell generates electricity from hydrogen to extend range rather than act as the main drive source, and its waste heat is used to warm the passenger compartment and regulate battery temperature. Five Type-4 hydrogen tanks, each holding five kilograms at 350 bar, are roof-mounted on the solo bus, providing 25 kg total capacity. Under optimal conditions, refuelling takes around ten minutes.

Three operating strategies are available: maximum range, minimum hydrogen consumption, and maintain state of charge. The last mode allows operators using green hydrogen to bypass depot charging entirely by having the fuel cell continuously replenish the battery during operation.

The articulated eCitaro G variant achieves up to 500 kilometres with six or seven tanks and up to 392 kWh of battery capacity. Passenger capacity reaches 88 on the solo bus and around 128 on a three-door articulated variant. Both configurations carry the full suite of assistance systems required under the EU General Safety Regulation in force since July 2024.

Source: Daimler Truck