Daimler Buses plans to offer reconditioning and replacement services for early-generation batteries in its Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses, aiming to extend their operational lifespan and align it with that of diesel counterparts.
Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, said the company is moving at a “breathtaking pace” with battery development. “We are learning very quickly: you can see this in our battery generation for the eCitaro, which will soon be the fourth,” Oberwörder told journalists during a business update.
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The eCitaro, launched in 2018, has already undergone three battery upgrades. From 2026, owners will be able to retrofit the latest NMC4 batteries, replacing previous packs from generations NMC1 to NMC3. Until then, Daimler Buses is offering reconditioning services in collaboration with battery supplier Akasol, initially targeting buses with first-generation packs and later extending to newer versions.
The reconditioning process involves inspecting and replacing individual battery modules, which Daimler Buses says can “significantly increase” the battery’s state of health. Full battery pack replacements with the NMC4 generation will follow once available, potentially requiring fewer battery packs to achieve the same or greater capacity, according to the manufacturer.
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The move is part of Daimler Buses’ broader strategy to match the lifespan of electric buses with that of diesel models. “We believe that a service life of up to 15 years is realistic for the eCitaro in future,” Oberwörder said, noting that some early batteries are nearing the end of their useful life after “7 to 8 years.”
Initially limited to the eCitaro city bus, the new services could later extend to the upcoming eIntouro intercity electric bus. Unlike the eCitaro’s NMC batteries, the eIntouro will use LFP batteries from CATL, offering slower degradation and higher usable capacity.
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The NMC4 batteries, set to be assembled by BMZ Poland, will replace current packs made by Akasol in Germany. The current NMC3 packs feature 98 kWh capacity per pack, with up to six installed in solo buses and seven in articulated versions. The upcoming NMC4 batteries will deliver 111 kWh per pack, increasing energy density and extending range.
Daimler Buses is also planning to offer up to 12-year warranties on new eCitaros equipped with NMC4 batteries. The company says its European service network of 100 locations is prepared for the maintenance and replacement services, with staff trained and facilities equipped for high-voltage systems.
“Our customers should be able to use electric buses as economically and for as long as conventionally powered vehicles,” Oberwörder said. “E-buses are here to stay.”
Source: Electrive