Mercedes eCitaro: new NMC4 battery for increased range

Starting in 2026, the eCitaro electric bus will adopt the 4th generation of lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries, offering an additional 100 km of range.

Technological evolution is not reserved only for cars in the electric sector. On the contrary, manufacturers aim to reduce their emissions absolutely everywhere, particularly on vehicles that are intrinsically the most polluting. Such as trucks and buses, which are increasingly prevalent in urban areas.

This is the case for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, which is experiencing great commercial success, encouraging the German company to continually develop it. The upcoming introduction of a new battery will add even more relevance to the entire range.

Developed by BMZ Poland, a subsidiary of the BMZ Holding group, the NMC4 battery is based on technology already used in other applications. For the urban bus, it has been refined to meet the specific constraints of public transport. Its pack format is identical to that of the NMC3 batteries, allowing for easy integration into new vehicles and compatibility with a retrofitting of previous generations (NMC1 to NMC3), thus providing a significant gain in capacity and range.

With optimized energy density, these new batteries promise a superior range of 100 kilometers and a particularly long lifespan. Daimler Buses announces that a new eCitaro equipped with this technology can achieve at least 12 years of use.

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Thanks to a reworked chemical composition, the NMC4 offers about 6% higher energy density than the NMC3. Specifically, a pack reaches 111 kWh compared to 98 kWh previously, while allowing for the mobilization of a larger portion of the stored energy.

Comparison of Daimler Buses’ range indications

In addition to its performance, the NMC4 is distinguished by its long-term durability. Whether with standard charging (up to 150 kW) or rapid charging via pantograph (up to 300 kW), it maintains excellent longevity. Daimler Buses guarantees the battery for eight years, with a possible extension up to twelve years. This robustness helps to reduce the total cost of ownership and limits replacements, while decreasing the amount of batteries to recycle. In terms of safety, the NMC4 features a thermal monitoring system and alerts in case of overheating, active not only during operation but also when the battery is at rest.

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