Next-Generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Buses to Use LFP Batteries Instead of NMC

1. The next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro will replace NMC batteries with LFP battery technology, offering potential benefits in service life, stability and cost efficiency.

2. It will be built on a new electric platform designed from the ground up for battery-electric buses, supporting vehicle lengths from around 10 metres to 18 metres.

3. Its modular battery system will offer flexible capacity, while CCS2, pantograph and charging-rail options will support charging power of up to 450 kW.

Daimler Buses is preparing a major battery technology change for the next-generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro. Instead of the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries used in the current model, the new electric buses will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells. The new generation is expected to enter the market from 2028.

The next-generation eCitaro is being developed on a completely new battery-electric platform designed specifically for electric drive. This is an important change because the platform is not simply an adaptation of a conventional diesel bus architecture. It has been developed from the ground up for electric operation, allowing Daimler Buses to better integrate the battery system, electric drivetrain, charging equipment and other high-voltage components.

The new platform will support a wide range of vehicle configurations, from approximately 10-metre solo buses to 18-metre articulated buses. It will also be available for both urban and intercity applications. According to Daimler Buses, the dedicated electric architecture can reduce vehicle weight. The articulated version is expected to be around 750 kilograms lighter than the current model, helping improve efficiency and passenger capacity.

The switch to LFP batteries is one of the most important features of the new eCitaro. LFP cells are known for their long service life, stable thermal characteristics and lower dependence on materials such as nickel and cobalt. These qualities can be particularly useful for city buses, which operate for long hours and are charged frequently. However, LFP batteries generally have a lower energy density than NMC batteries. Daimler Buses plans to address this through improved packaging and a platform designed specifically around the LFP technology.

The eCitaro will use a modular compact battery system. Each battery pack will provide approximately 50 kWh of nominal energy. Depending on the vehicle length and route requirements, solo buses can be equipped with six to twelve battery packs, while articulated buses can use between eight and fourteen packs. This gives operators greater flexibility to select the battery capacity they need instead of carrying extra battery weight for routes that do not require it.

The battery packs can be installed between the axles beneath the floor and on the roof. This arrangement helps keep the centre of gravity low and can contribute to improved stability, ride comfort and driving dynamics. Daimler Buses also says that the modular system can provide more than 10% additional passenger capacity in some operating conditions, or reduce energy consumption through lower vehicle weight.

Charging flexibility is another key part of the new platform. The next-generation eCitaro will support CCS2 charging, pantographs and charging rails. CCS2 charging can reach up to 400 kW, while pantograph and charging-rail systems can provide up to 450 kW. These options allow transport operators to choose between overnight depot charging and faster opportunity charging during daily operations.

Along with the new battery system, the eCitaro will feature an updated electric drivetrain, improved thermal management, digital services and over-the-air software updates. By combining a dedicated electric platform with LFP battery technology, Mercedes-Benz aims to make its next-generation eCitaro buses more efficient, adaptable and economical for public transport operators.

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