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Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH) GmbH has ordered 95 eCitaro (standard model) and eCitaro G (articulated) buses from Mercedes-Benz

The company Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH) GmbH, operator of public transport services in Hamburg, Germany, has ordered 95 eCitaro (standard model) and eCitaro G (articulated) buses from Mercedes-Benz. The first of the local emission-free, all-electric buses are scheduled to be delivered later this year, while more units will be delivered in the first half of 2024.

City of Hamburg, the capital of the eCitaro bus...VHH already has 37 eCitaros and eCitaro G in use. The first vehicles went into operation in 2020, shortly after the models were introduced into series production. Together with this new order, the number rises to a total of 132 all-electric low-floor buses that will take the star in the VHH fleet.

“Hamburg is one of the most suitable European cities for our eCitaro,” says Mirko Sgodda, Head of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service at Daimler Buses. “We would like to thank VHH for the trust they place in our product, a result that can be seen in the large order they placed”.

“One of the most important issues for the future is electric mobility. Since 2020, VHH has only purchased electric buses for Hamburg,” says Dr. Lorenz Kasch, managing director of VHH. “We are opening new horizons and we are happy to be able to rely on these vehicles. A lot of progress has already been made, especially in terms of autonomy and availability.”

Technological safety and comfort features of the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses stand out in the market...The current order consists of 47 three-door Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses and 48 articulated eCitaro G vehicles. The models feature the latest high-performance NMC3 battery technology, with an energy capacity of 490 kWh for the standard bus and 588 kWh for the articulated bus, guaranteeing an autonomy that does not require intermediate recharges. The buses are loaded in the company's garages. Charging sockets on the left or right, at the height of the front wheel housing, guarantee a high degree of flexibility in the garage.

Among the technological safety items, the eCitaro is already equipped as standard with stabilizer protection, electronic stability system (ESP) on standard buses and protection against the 'L' effect with the rotary joint controller (ATC - Articulation Turntable Controller). in the articulated bus.

Internal comfort also gains evidence. Passengers with reduced mobility can count on a dedicated area (padron model) or up to three (in articulated buses) for wheelchairs or baby strollers. Two USB sockets make it possible to recharge devices on all seats, which have 29-inch screens that bring information and entertainment to passengers on board.

VHH is electrifying the Hamburg metropolitan area...Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH operates 170 routes throughout the Hamburg metropolitan region. With more than 2,300 employees and around 670 buses at 17 different locations, VHH is the second largest local transport company in northern Germany. The vehicles cover around 34 million kilometers a year in Hamburg and the city of Schleswig-Holstein, carrying around 62 million passengers. The backbone of the fleet is the low-emissions Mercedes-Benz Citaro and eCitaro, an all-electric bus free of local emissions.

Under the elexity brand, VHH is bringing together all aspects of sustainable mobility ranging from infrastructure in garages to specially trained employees and vehicles that run on 100% eco-friendly electricity. Since 2020, VHH has been purchasing only local emission-free buses for use in the urban area of Hamburg. The aim is to convert the VHH vehicle fleet into emission-free units as much as possible by the 2030s.

eCitaro is a reference for the eO500U by Mercedes-Benz Brasil...Consolidated in Europe, the fully electric eCitaro bus is a reference for the eO500U(image below), an electric city bus chassis powered by Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, a model that registers the company's entry in the era of electromobility in commercial vehicles in the country.

The eO500U was developed by Mercedes-Benz do Brasil Engineering for the reality of the country, as for Latin America. The electro-electronic concept of the Brazilian electric bus chassis, including items such as batteries, steering, electric motors and axles, follows parameters of the eCitaro integral bus by Daimler Buses. For greater quality and reliability for customers, the vehicle was extensively tested in Brazil and also in Germany.

“This is a very special launch for all of us, yet another great milestone in the company's remarkable 66-year history of pioneering and innovation in the country”, says Walter Barbosa, director of Sales and Marketing Buses at Mercedes-Benz do Brasil. “Together with our partners, we are building a great legacy for electromobility. It is great to know that our Brazilian team is part of Daimler Buses' plan to offer CO2-neutral vehicles powered by batteries and hydrogen in all segments by 2030. That is, we will contribute to reducing emissions and decarbonizing transport. This demonstrates that we are aligned with global and local sustainability trends, following the ESG pillars”.

According to the executive, Mercedes-Benz will support everyone who is part of the electromobility ecosystem, especially in this initial moment of transition from the diesel engine to the arrival of electric traction. “We will support customers, drivers, workshop professionals, public transport managers, brand dealers, body builders and other partners. Our teams will also offer consultancy and technical and operational training to passenger transport companies”, says Walter Barbosa.

Mercedes-Benz dealers are being trained and have a structure prepared for specialized service to electric bus customers. The company is in line with body builders, suppliers of parts and components and, now, also with electric power and battery recharge infrastructure companies.

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