Undertaking high-capacity commuter and touristic services the length and breadth of 227 square miles of land, Isle of Man Transport took delivery of an all-electric Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro for demonstration purposes over May and June.
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News 2024
Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro trials conclude at Isle of Man Transport.
No strangers to Mercedes‑Benz products, Isle of Man Transport, which operates all local services under the bus vannin brand, has enjoyed a recurring intake of new Citaro buses for its fleet modernisation programme over the past decade. The operator’s decision to move towards alternative power began in 2020 with the arrival of six Mercedes‑Benz Citaro hybrid buses - Euro VI diesel powered with a compact hybrid battery module to reduce engine load and operate at zero-emission at low speeds.
Representing the second all-electric Mercedes‑Benz bus trial for the operator, the newest demonstration eCitaro is a 2024 model equipped with new generation NMC3 batteries; higher-energy cell chemistry makes for a greater capacity and therefore a longer range than ever before. With modular technology, the introduction of an NMC3 battery eCitaro to the Daimler Buses UK demonstrator fleet bears testament to parent company Daimler Buses GmbH’s commitment to delivering the very latest in battery technology to the market.
Completing 800+ miles over a 13-day period, eCitaro NMC3 fulfilled the operator’s requirements effectively; an impressive energy consumption average of 1.19kWh/km ensured plenty of range to spare.
Inside, passengers were treated to all the refinements expected of a Mercedes‑Benz all‑electric vehicle. Using eCitaro’s Intelligent Thermal Management system, the ambient interior temperature averaged 21.39°C regardless of outdoor climate.
Adrian Felton, e-Mobility Manager at Daimler Buses UK Ltd adds: “We are delighted to support Isle of Man Transport once more in its drive towards electro-mobility. The latest iteration of eCitaro, with NMC3 batteries, impressed those behind the wheel and back at base. While the greater range is a clear benefit for the operator, the reduced number of charging intervals as a result made a noticeable improvement on how deployable the bus can be.”
The 2024 Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro was delivered to Isle of Man Transport for demonstration purposes by Mercedes‑Benz Bus Sales at Daimler Buses UK Ltd.
8th August 2024
