Daimler Buses has unveiled the next generation of its Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric bus, now equipped with fourth-generation NMC battery technology. All versions of the eCitaro lineup are set to receive the upgraded batteries beginning in 2026, the company announced.
The new NMC4 battery packs, which feature higher energy density within the same size envelope, will be publicly showcased for the first time at the UITP Summit in Hamburg from June 15 to 18, 2025. The batteries will be presented in a two-door solo demo bus, ahead of their market introduction across the full eCitaro range, including the long eCitaro G and short eCitaro K models.
Each new battery pack offers a capacity of 111 kWh, enabling improved driving ranges of up to 500 km for the solo version and 400 km for the articulated model. While the current maximum charging power is 150 kW, Daimler Buses stated this will increase to 300 kW in the future. The company also noted the NMC4 cells will deliver a “very long service life,” though specific figures have yet to be disclosed.
The current NMC3 battery generation, introduced in 2022, uses 21700-format cylindrical cells and delivers approximately 98 kWh per pack. Up to six of these packs can be fitted in the 12-metre eCitaro, and seven in the 18-metre eCitaro G, offering ranges of 400 km and 300 km, respectively.
While the NMC3 packs are assembled by Akasol in Hessen, Germany, the NMC4 packs will be produced from 2026 at BMZ Holding’s Polish subsidiary in Gliwice, under a strategic partnership aimed at scaling battery production for Daimler Buses.