Since entering the market in 2018, Daimler Buses has demonstrated a strong commitment to reliability and quality.
“Although we were not the first to bring electromobility solutions, we have been one of the manufacturers that truly launched a mature and reliable vehicle,” assures Oscar Gascón Cappa, KAM e-Mobility Turnkey Solutions of the company.
The focus from the very beginning has been to ensure that operators choosing their solutions do not face unpleasant surprises, but how do they achieve this?
To this, the executive responds:
“In our test bench, it is never the customer who experiences the first problems.”
And referring to the results within the Spanish market share, we can highlight the purchase by Zaragoza of 40 of the Mercedes Benz eCitaro models.
The municipal government has approved at the beginning of 2024 the acquisition of 40 of these vehicles, which will entail an outlay of more than 26 million euros, although 8.9 come from Europe.
What is the reason for trust?
The brand acknowledges that this is a fully mature bus for operating in urban transport.
To ensure this, it was subjected to rigorous temperature controls: less than 15 degrees Celsius below zero in the Arctic Circle.
Winter testing includes driving on low-grip surfaces to test the driving dynamics control and recovery systems.
This unit can handle steep climbs and descents in the Sierra Nevada, as well as the Spanish summer, with temperatures above 30 degrees and heavy city traffic.
It offers a range of 280 kilometres and six NMC 3 battery modules for a total of 588 kWh.
It is an articulated bus measuring 18.13 metres long and 3.40 metres high, available with three or four doors and with capacity for 85 passengers.
And that’s not all, as in 2021 it took third place in the electric bus market in Europe, and in 2022 it took first place in the German market, with 632 deliveries.
Hydrogen buses, Daimler’s new frontier
The company’s offering is not limited to electric-powered models, but goes a little further and seeks to capture a new energy vector: hydrogen.
“We believe that it is another solution that can meet the needs of our customers, depending on the type of city in which it is used, just like the electric vehicle in any city,” says the eMobility specialist.
This technology is especially useful in cities with steep terrain that can affect the range of conventional electric vehicles.
While it offers significant advantages in terms of autonomy, it also places some challenges on the operating table.
“The price of hydrogen is a drawback compared to electric vehicles, but these are technologies that are just beginning to emerge on the market and it is normal that in the very initial stages they have a relatively high cost,” adds Óscar Gascón.
Despite these challenges, Daimler Buses remains committed to the development of this vector and is focusing on its application in urban and semi-urban environments, although the greater autonomy they provide also makes them viable for interurban routes.
It is also worth remembering that the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro with fuel cell has won two awards in the national competition organised by the Spanish publishing group EDITEC.
A jury of 817 transport company managers and technical experts evaluated the participating commercial vehicles for the transport of goods and passengers in several categories.
24 companies with a total of 28 models participated in the competition.
The Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicle convinced the panel of experts in two categories and received the awards for “Bus of the Year” and “Eco-Bus of the Year”.
The combination of electric traction with battery and fuel cell to extend the range allows a range of up to 400 km without the need to recharge for average requirements in units of this model.
This means that the fuel cell eCitaro can be used on almost all urban routes that previously could only be served by diesel-powered vehicles.
Pantograph, yes or no?
The debate on the use of pantographs for charging electric buses has already been addressed on several occasions in conversations with Mobility Portal España and in this case, Daimler is not left out.
The company executive explains that both charging technologies, whether by pantograph or cable, have their specific field of application.
Pantograph charging was developed as an opportunistic charging solution.
“The operator leaves at 8 in the morning, and at noon, he realises that he does not have enough autonomy for the rest of the day. So, halfway through the journey, the pantograph gives him a maximum power discharge of 200-300 kilowatts so that he can continue operating throughout the day,” explains Óscar Gascón.
On the other hand, wired charging is designed for overnight charging or during the day in the garage.
“Pantograph charging has been designed for opportunity charging, but there are also customers who are using it for overnight charging in the depot, which is equally valid,” he adds.
The choice depends on the ease of integration and communication between the vehicle and the charger.
“The integration of communication between the bus and the charger is easier with a physical connection, provided by the cable, than with non-physical communication, such as that of the pantograph, which is done via WiFi,” the specialist notes in his analysis.
Smart Charging: Efficiency and sustainability
Another point that Daimler Buses does not lose sight of is Smart Charging solutions, designed to manage charging more efficiently and economically.
This technology is essential to optimize the operation of electric buses and reduce energy costs.
“Smart Charging helps manage the load in the garage, reducing energy demand at peak times and distributing the load over a longer period at lower power,” explains Óscar Gascón.
It also allows for pre-conditioning of the vehicle, adjusting the temperature before leaving, which is crucial in extreme climates.
The company has created a new business unit to offer not only electric buses, but also the infrastructure necessary to operate them.
“We work with partners from the construction sector such as TSG Mac and charger manufacturers such as Siemens and ABB,” it says.
This collaboration allows the firm to provide a comprehensive solution that includes installation, supply of chargers and charging management systems to reduce energy costs.
