Daimler Buses is making an important contribution to the electrification of local public transportation in the Netherlands. QBuzz and OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe local public transportation companies have decided to purchase 35 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G articulated buses with fully electric drive. The 18.13-meter, low-floor electric buses will be used both in urban traffic on the Qlink routes and in regional traffic in the Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe.

CEO Joost van der Bijl of Daimler Buses in Nijkerk is very proud of this first major order for local public transportation in the Netherlands and is glad that the eCitaro will now be represented throughout Western Europe: "Our electric buses meet the highest quality standards. Both of our customers will experience how true this commitment really is. This fills us with pride, and I'm convinced that more bus operators with route licenses will soon be contacting us."

Daimler Buses will deliver a total of 25 eCitaro articulated buses for regional transport and ten eCitaro articulated buses for the Dutch Qlink urban transit routes to the two operators by 2026. The three-door, articulated vehicles feature the latest-generation NMC 3 batteries with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide cells and an energy capacity of 490 kWh. The vehicle socket is located in the rear area of the eCitaro buses intended for use in regional transport. In addition to the plug-in charging option, the articulated buses that are intended for operation on the Qlink regular service routes are also equipped with the option of rapid charging by a current collector (pantograph) on the bus roof.

The new articulated buses for QBuzz and OV-bureau Groningen Drenthe are equipped with assistance systems such as the optional Sideguard Assist with pedestrian detection. The standard articulation angle control (ATC) ensures a high level of stability, impressive maneuverability and convenient maneuvering without kinking the rear section, even when reverse gear has been engaged. Instead of the conventional outside mirrors on the left and right, the fully electric eCitaro G articulated vehicles are equipped with mirror cameras (Mirror Cams). These bundled measures significantly improve safety for the entire environment around the new articulated buses. “Cycling is very popular in the Netherlands, so additional safety is particularly important here,” Dirk Meppelink, Key Account Manager Public Transport at Daimler Buses in the Netherlands, points out.

The air conditioning system, which operates with a CO2 heat pump in the eCitaro articulated buses, minimizes energy consumption and at the same time provides a pleasant, comfortable climate in the bus. Passengers and drivers each have their own climate control system – an advantage in overcoming the prevailing driver shortage by offering attractive workplaces. "Working is simply more fun for drivers and it is also safer if their workplace is pleasant and equipped with high-quality equipment. That is the case with our buses," according to Joost van der Bijl.