A different kind of bus journey for drivers, passengers and the environment.
The city bus glides quietly along the road, coasts, stops silently in the bus bay. Those who prick up their ears despite the noise of the traffic will at most perceive a quiet humming sound. The electrically operated doors open up – welcome to the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro. Anyone wanting to find out about the future of urban bus transport should plan a trip to Mannheim, Heidelberg, Hamburg, or Berlin in the near future. Their transport operators are the first to use the new, fully electric-powered Mercedes-Benz eCitaro. Today, there is an opportunity to take a spin on a test site.
The classic pre-departure check thus has the nature of an optical examination. The designers have not promised too much: this bus is a special Citaro. Connoisseurs will notice the discreet blue letter “e” in the logo of the eCitaro model. No idling engine can be heard, the urban bus stands there quietly not disturbing the environment, and yet is ready to set off.
The Mercedes E-Citaro A New Tomorrow
Inside, the cockpit looks like normal and the quick changeover behind the wheel is no problem. After switching on the ignition, the blue instrument lighting catches the eye. A power meter replaces the rev counter, superfluous here, showing the current performance requirement when stepping on the accelerator and the status of recuperation when the eCitaro turns braking energy into electricity and tops up its batteries.
Adjust the seat and mirror, set the gearbox button to “D”, release the brake, and put your foot on the gas – sorry: electricity – the eCitaro accelerates dynamically whilst remaining quiet. It appears almost effortless when the 13 tonnes plus start moving. Noise from the tires on the road is louder than the drive unit. A challenge for the production department: there is no engine and no transmission here to drown out any creaking or rattling. Braking is done either by means of a brake pedal or a switch on the steering column. In both cases, deceleration takes place purely electrically and the energy recuperated charges the battery. This is particularly fascinating on long downhill sections when the eCitaro glides along and the range indicator shows a rising figure. Only in the case of very abrupt deceleration using the brake pedal does the classic friction brake intervene.
The eCitaro is not a prototype, but a fully developed all-electric bus. Its superior quality is ensured by the strongly established Citaro.
Mercedes have certainly put a lot of effort and spared no cost on this Citaro. It is quite special. The fluidity with which it glides is effortless and we can only imagine what the rider feels when inside. Essentially what Mercedes is trying to achieve is pretty commendable because more electric vehicles on the roads mean less pollution and a greener planet. Right now they are only available in Germany but we look forward to seeing them in a city nearer us soon. They’re pretty neat, and- it’s a Mercedes.
For more information on how to sign up for a costing package on investment opportunities click the link below
https://www.mercedes-benz-bus.com/en_DE/models/ecitaro/facts.html
