Daimler Buses, a prominent German bus manufacturer, has announced its plans to produce the eCitaro electric bus in France starting from the first quarter of 2024. To facilitate this expansion, the company intends to invest approximately 50 million euros in the Ligny-en-Barrois location by 2030.
In preparation for the production of both electric and diesel buses, Daimler has procured three hectares of land to expand its existing plant. Although an official announcement regarding electric bus production in France is still pending, reports from various media sources confirm the development.
The conversion and modernization of the new site are expected to generate around 250 additional jobs. Notably, both the 12-meter and 18-meter versions of the eCitaro will be manufactured at the Ligny-en-Barrois facility, according to information obtained from a prominent bus news site.
See also: Daimler Will Only Sell Electric and Hydrogen Buses by 2030
Earlier this year, in March, Daimler Buses declared its intention to transform its Mannheim plant in Germany into a center of excellence for e-city buses. Starting from 2024, the focus of the Mannheim facility will shift entirely towards producing electric-powered city buses, with increased involvement in component production. Furthermore, during the second half of the decade, the Neu-Ulm plant in Germany will also begin manufacturing electric-powered intercity buses, followed by coaches featuring battery-electric and fuel cell drive systems by the end of the decade.
In the upcoming Global Public Transport Summit (GPTS) held in Barcelona from June 4 to 7, 2023, Daimler Buses plans to showcase the eCitaro equipped with a fuel cell as a range extender. This technology will subsequently be made available in the form of an articulated bus. As of now, the company remains committed to further expanding its electric bus production capabilities, catering to the growing demand for sustainable public transportation solutions.
