Bremer Strassenbahn AG (BSAG) is rapidly expanding electrification of the local public transportation network: A total of 35 new all-electric eCitaro G low-floor articulated buses from Mercedes-Benz with the latest NMC 3 battery technology will be added to the 20 eCitaro solo buses that have been driving on the streets of Bremen since 2022. The contract will be signed by Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Sales Mercedes-Benz Buses Germany, and Thorsten Harder, Technical Director and Claudia Wiest, Commercial Director. The vehicles will be gradually rolled out over the course of 2024.

These four-door Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G articulated buses are fully electric, meaning they do not produce a lot of noise when they drive. The vehicles are designed with BSAG’s characteristic white-red paint finish and feature a state-of-the-art electric drive with the latest generation of high-performance batteries (NMC 3). These lithium-ion batteries come with improved cell chemistry (NMC: lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide) and a modular battery equipment design. Their tremendous performance enables long range operation without intermediate charging.

BSAG’s new eCitaro G articulated buses have seven 98.3 kWh battery packs, each with 5,400 cells and a total capacity of up to 686 kWh. These battery packs reliably have a range of 220 kilometres over their entire service life. This covers the daily mileage of BSAG's regular scheduled city buses. The buses are recharged using five charging systems permanently installed at the depot, each with an output of 150 kW. They were previously installed by Mercedes-Benz at BSAG’s depot under an earlier supply contract. In addition to this charging infrastructure, including services, the vehicle comes with several 40 kW mobile workshop chargers, also supplied by Mercedes-Benz.

The super-heavy duty version of the maintenance-free on-board electrical system battery has an output of 2 x 220 Ah. The electrical system also includes the integrated on-board diagnostic system (OBD) and a bus data centre for using the connectivity services of OMNIplus On.

The specific equipment of the 35 electric articulated buses for BSAG is state-of-the-art and is particularly driver- and passenger-friendly. A special feature is the closed three-part driver’s cab with transparent glass partitions. It offers especially high protection for the driver. There is also efficient anti-vandalism protection: In addition to numerous stowage compartments, the driver’s area also has a video surveillance system with a video monitor in the instrument panel and six video cameras for monitoring the bus interior and special-purpose areas. The elegant black and anthracite driver's seat is air-conditioned, heated and equipped with armrests on both sides with an electrically-adjustable lumbar support.

eCitaro G articulated buses feature four 1,380 mm entry doors, making them twice as wide, as well as a front door lift, space for pushchairs and one wheelchair in the two special-purpose areas next to the second door, and attractive interior fittings and powerful convector heating. The roof-mounted air-conditioning system is equipped with an active filter with antiviral function. The roof fans ensure the bus remains at a pleasant temperature.

Safety is a top priority on BSAG’s new electric articulated buses. The excellent visibility all around the bus leaves no spot unseen: as well as the MirrorCam system in place of conventional outside mirrors, a CornerEye camera replaces the previous school bus mirror giving the driver the best possible view of the front of the bus and the area next to the front entry door. These new eCitaro G buses are also equipped with always-on Sideguard Assist with pedestrian detection and Preventive Brake Assist, the first active braking assistance system for city buses. A rear view camera provides valuable services for safe reversing.

The comfortable and safe suspension features electrohydraulic steering, smart eco steering, anti-roll/pitch control and electronic level control (ELC) with a kneeling function that operates independently of the door status. Standard equipment comes with the acoustic presence indicator (AVAS).

BSAG currently transports around 250,000 people per day with almost 130 trams and around 240 low-floor solo, articulated and midi buses. BSAG’s bus network consists of almost 40 routes with a total length of around 480 kilometres. Around 100 of BSAG's city buses bear the Mercedes star, of which 83 are articulated buses.

These recently-ordered all-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G buses with NMC 3 battery technology form part of the transport company’s climate protection strategy. By 2025, emission-free local transportation is set to account for around 50 per cent of BSAG’s operating performance (operational kilometres) in Bremen.