VAG Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg has added its 100th electric bus to the fleet, marking a key milestone in the electrification of public transport in Bavaria’s second-largest city.
The vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G articulated bus, was officially handed over on May 7, 2025, at the VAG facility in Nuremberg.
The new bus, numbered 417, is one of 31 articulated electric buses scheduled for delivery by the end of May 2025.
These units will complement the 46 solo and articulated eCitaro buses introduced in 2023 and 2024, bringing the total number of Mercedes-Benz electric buses in VAG’s fleet to 77 units. Currently, nearly 70% of VAG’s electric fleet consists of eCitaro and eCitaro G models.
The handover was carried out by Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Public Transport Sales Germany at Daimler Buses, and André Martin, Plant Representative for Public Transport Sales Germany at Daimler Buses. They presented the bus to Tim Dahlmann-Resing, Member of the Board for Technology and Marketing and VAG’s Board spokesperson.
Technical features of the eCitaro G
The four-door articulated bus is powered by seven battery packs with a total energy capacity of 686 kWh, enabling a range of up to 300 km under average conditions. Charging is done at VAG’s eBus port in Schweinau, which accommodates 39 buses simultaneously and is equipped with a photovoltaic system. The adjacent parking depot holds up to 170 buses, each with access to charging infrastructure.
Advanced safety and passenger comfort
The buses provide capacity for 124 passengers and include LED lighting, rain/light sensors, and a reversing camera.
They are also equipped with multiple assistance systems, such as Preventive Brake Assist 2, Sideguard Assist 2, and Frontguard Assist, to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Other features include Traffic Sign Assist, Attention Assist, and Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).
Inside, passengers benefit from 37 City Star Eco seats, CO2 heat pump-based air conditioning, antiviral air filters, and ambient LED lighting.
The layout includes dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and prams, as well as USB charging ports and 29-inch monitors. Safety is further supported by eight surveillance cameras connected to the driver’s monitoring system.
All vehicles come equipped with the Bus Data Centre, enabling connectivity with Omniplus digital services.
Toward a zero-emission bus fleet
VAG Nuremberg operates around 200 buses on more than 50 routes and transports up to 640,000 passengers daily.
Over half of its fleet is now electric. The company aims to convert its entire bus fleet to CO2-free battery-electric models by the early 2030s.
Like its tram and metro lines, all electric buses run on 100% locally sourced green electricity. In 2025, VAG received the Bavarian State Prize for Transport and Logistics for its “eBus to Grid” project.
