Mercedes-Benz: Seven eCitaro G in Duisburg Line Service

In the presence of North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Ina Brandes, the spokesperson for the board of the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR) Ronald R.F. Lünser, Sören Link, Mayor of Duisburg, and the DVG board members Marcus Wittig (Chairman) and Andreas Gutschek (Technology), Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft AG (DVG) put seven Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G buses into operation on Wednesday (February 23).

The seven eCitaro G buses are equipped with ten powerful high-voltage battery modules with a total capacity of 330 kWh. The batteries are based on the current generation of lithium-ion batteries (NMC2) with increased energy density. Charging can be done either via a plug or a pantograph on the front section. The articulated electric buses are refueled at the DVG depot.

Fully air-conditioned passenger compartment

The bright passenger compartment of the fully air-conditioned three-door eCitaro G buses is particularly considerate of passengers with disabilities – there are two special usage areas for wheelchairs and strollers to the left and right in the direction of travel near the second door, and there are also securing straps for rollators on board. Fold-down seats are provided in these areas for other passengers.

The floor of the interior is designed in a wood look, the seat and backrest surfaces of the Mercedes-Benz City Star Function seats are fabric-covered, and the grab poles and handrails are painted signal red. A yellow flooring marks the boarding areas at the three doors. Information for passengers is displayed on two TFT screens. 

Ergonomic driver’s workplace

The driver’s workstation is comfortably equipped, including separate air conditioning, a climate-controlled seat with electric lumbar support, and an electrically adjustable interior mirror. The partition at the driver's cabin door protects against infections and extends the entire width of the door.

Safety as Standard

On board the Duisburg eCitaro G are the active brake assist Preventive Brake Assist and the turning assistant Sideguard Assist, as well as a rearview camera. Six cameras monitor the interior space.

Infrastructure is Part of the Order

Daimler Buses also supplies the necessary infrastructure - in Duisburg, this includes seven stationary chargers with contact hoods in the storage hall as part of a general contractor's agreement, as well as two pantograph charging stations outdoors and a mobile charger. The scope of services also includes planning, project management, and construction of the necessary power supply infrastructure as well as the associated construction work.

Omniplus secures the e-articulated buses with an eService maintenance contract. Monitoring and control of the charging processes are carried out with software from the partner company IVU Traffic Technologies, which was implemented in coordination with the DVG. Additionally, the charging management is also connected to the Daimler Buses data interface, through which real-time data from the operation of the electric buses is fed directly into the charging management system via the Daimler Buses Cloud.