PaderSprinter deploys the world's first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell

The Paderborn public transportation company PaderSprinter became the first customer worldwide to receive a Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell. The electric bus can extend its range to up to 400 km thanks to its hydrogen fuel cell. The company officially introduced the bus at the depot. In the coming days, it will start serving in Paderborn's public transport.

The eCitaro fuel cell achieves what the purely electric eCitaro, which completed its test phase with us a few months ago, could only perform to a limited extent: namely covering two driver shifts without significant time loss due to intermediate charging, which is necessary for efficient and sensible use in scheduled service. The batteries of the new model have a gross capacity of 392 kWh, already more than 80% of the total capacity of the currently available fully electric model. The range extension is provided by six tanks with a total capacity of 30 kg of hydrogen. (Markus Janewers, responsible for alternative drives and future projects at PaderSprinter)

However, it should be noted that in the future the fully electric eCitaro version will have a battery capacity of 590 kWh. This will ensure minimum ranges of 280 km even at very low outside temperatures – and a maximum of more than 500 km.

Hydrogen Refueling Station Available

The suitable hydrogen refueling station for the eCitaro fuel cell is already available on the PaderSprinter depot premises. It is also used by Paderborn's ASP (Waste Management, Street Cleaning, and Parking Management) to refuel their hydrogen-powered garbage trucks.

Equipment

The bus traveled by low-loader from the factory in Mannheim to Paderborn, where it was initially equipped with the usual fittings for Paderborn passengers and drivers. These include ticket validators, chip card terminals, information screens, and more. The new showcase piece also received its individual wrap, making the bus recognizable as an ambassador for the new sustainable drive.

PaderSprinter not only carries the name of the city but also that of its eponymous river. The new bus will always visually carry the Pader with it, as its motif will flash through at various points inside.

The hydrogen bus works great as a flagship for our future-oriented and innovative city. Personally, I also love how it visually bridges the new hydrogen drive with Pader water. After all, Pader water has also driven much in the city's history. (Claudia Warnecke, Technical Councilor of the City of Paderborn and co-initiator of the application for the European Heritage Label)

Prominent Godfather

Someone for whom water is a very special element has taken on the sponsorship of the new bus. Extreme swimmer André Wiersig did not need much convincing:

When you spend as much time in the sea and oceans as I do, you become acutely aware of the power of this element. At the same time, I have experienced how urgently we need to rethink our approach to the environment and resources. To this end, I founded the Blue Heart initiative, with which we support sustainable projects worldwide. I find it highly exciting how PaderSprinter takes its contribution to the future seriously and implements it in Paderborn.

Schedule and Deployment

The next step for PaderSprinter is to train staff for the trips and refueling of the eCitaro fuel cell before it enters its first service in the regular schedule. When exactly this will be and on which routes the new bus will be used will be announced via social media channels and on www.padersprinter.de.