The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell is a fully electric low-floor bus that combines battery power with a hydrogen fuel cell. This innovative technology allows the bus to achieve a range of up to 400 km without recharging, making it ideal for sustainable and efficient urban mobility.
The eCitaro fuel cell has recently won two prestigious awards in Spain: the Bus of the Year and the Ecological Bus of the Year. These awards recognize the bus’s outstanding performance, reliability, safety, and comfort, as well as its contribution to reducing local CO2 emissions and improving air quality.
How does the eCitaro fuel cell work?
The eCitaro fuel cell uses a hybrid system that consists of:
- A lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 32.4 kWh is located on the roof of the bus. The battery provides the main source of energy for the electric drive and can be recharged at the depot or via a plug-in connection.
- A fuel cell module with a power output of 120 kW is also located on the roof of the bus. The fuel cell acts as a range extender that generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, extending the battery’s range by up to 300 km. The only by-product of this process is water vapor, which is emitted through a vent on the side of the bus.
- A hydrogen tank system with a storage capacity of 30 kg of hydrogen, distributed in four tanks under the roof of the bus. The hydrogen is stored at a pressure of 350 bar and can be refilled in about 10 minutes at a hydrogen station.
The eCitaro fuel cell has a total power output of 300 kW and a maximum torque of 970 Nm. It can reach a top speed of 80 km/h and can carry up to 88 passengers in the solo version or up to 128 passengers in the articulated version.
What are the benefits of the eCitaro fuel cell?
The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell bus offers several advantages over conventional diesel buses or hydrogen buses with a small buffer battery. Some of these benefits are:
- Zero local emissions: The eCitaro fuel cell does not produce any harmful emissions such as CO2, NOx, or particulate matter. This improves the air quality and the health of the citizens, as well as the climate protection goals of the cities.
- Low noise level: The eCitaro fuel cell operates with a low noise level, creating a pleasant and quiet atmosphere for the passengers and the surroundings. The noise reduction also reduces the stress and fatigue of the drivers and improves their concentration and safety.
- High efficiency and economy: The eCitaro fuel cell uses electricity from the grid and hydrogen as energy sources, which are cheaper than diesel. The fuel cell also has a high efficiency of up to 60%, compared to about 40% for a diesel engine. The hybrid system also allows the bus to recover energy from braking and coasting, further reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
- Flexible and reliable operation: The eCitaro fuel cell can cover almost any urban route that was previously served by diesel buses without the need for intermediate charging. The bus can also adapt to different weather conditions, traffic situations, and passenger loads, thanks to the intelligent energy management system that optimizes the use of the battery and the fuel cell. The bus is also highly available and durable, as the fuel cell has a long service life and requires low maintenance.
