Made in Brazil. Tested in Germany. Conceived for the world. With the fully electric eO500U city bus chassis, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil not only wants to set benchmarks in its home market. It already has its eyes trained overseas.
Omnibus Magazine
Travelling sustainably through the big cities of the world.
The fully electric eO500U city bus chassis from Brazil.
Travelling sustainably through the big cities of the world.
The fully electric eO500U city bus chassis from Brazil.
With the fully electric Mercedes-Benz eO500U city bus chassis, the Brazilian national subsidiary of Daimler Buses has provided the solid basis on which bodywork manufacturers can build. In doing so, the company has added another climate-friendly building-block to the electrical revolution in public transport in South America. And perhaps, even further afield.
Electric buses are in high demand in Latin America.
Complete electrically driven buses are on the ascendant in these markets, while e-chassis are comparatively rare. Manufacturers of city bus bodywork are looking for electrical chassis solutions as a basis for the individually tailored electric city buses that are in particularly high demand in these markets, and which best fit the bus rapid transit systems – BRT for short – that run in the metropolitan areas of South America.
Up to 300 kilometres in range.
For these manufacturers, Daimler Buses has developed the fully electric Mercedes-Benz eO500U bus chassis, set to hit the road in Brazil at the start of 2023 and later be exported to other Latin American markets. The onward rollout plan is still being worked on, meaning exports to many countries further afield could be conceivable in the future. Ranges of up to 300 km are possible.
Investment in the field of electromobility.
The curtain rises on the electric bus age in Latin American markets: Daimler Buses has invested 100m Real – around 19m Euro – in developing the new, fully electric Mercedes-Benz eO500U bus chassis at its Brazilian national subsidiary, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil.
“For us, this is a very special market introduction, a new historic milestone in the eventful 65-year history of our company,” declares Roberto Leoncini, Vice-President of Trucks and Buses Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz do Brasil.
“The eO500U is a new historic milestone in the eventful 65-year history of our company.”
An extensive testing programme.
To guarantee customers the highest levels of quality, reliability and safety, before its introduction, the engineers at Daimler Buses put the eO500U electric bus chassis through its paces in a series of intensive trials and road tests both in Brazil and Germany.
A locally produced chassis.
“We are very proud that our Brazilian team is part of the plan at Daimler Buses to offer locally carbon-neutral, battery-based buses in every sector by 2030. With the market introduction of the new, fully electric bus chassis, we have managed to make an important contribution to reducing emissions, improving air quality and decarbonising public transport in cities,” Roberto Leoncini continues.
The first pre-orders have already come in.
Pre-orders are already flowing in and by the start of 2023, the first 50 fully electric chassis will roll off the line at the Mercedes-Benz do Brasil production site in São Bernardo do Campo. They will be delivered to the expectant city of São Paulo where they will be deployed by the bus company Viação Metrópole Paulista as part of the BRT system criss-crossing the Brazilian metropolis. But before the fully electric chassis can be put to use by customers, they need to be finished by building the bodywork on top. In this, Daimler Buses works with renowned bus superstructure manufacturers such as Caio Induscar and Marcopolo.
Larger, more comfortable, quieter and emissions-free.
The eO500U city bus chassis is the first fully electric Padron model from the O500 range, which also serves as the basis for Brazilian city buses fitted with a Mercedes-Benz diesel motor.
Extensive capacity.
At 21.2 tonnes, the 4x2 chassis has the highest permissible total weight and, with space for more than 80 passengers, the largest capacity of any vehicle in its category. Up to five doors allow a frictionless flow of passengers. The two-axle city bus chassis can be fitted with individualised seating designs, allows superstructures of up to 13.2 metres in length and runs almost silently – a big advantage in residential areas or at night.
More safety and comfort.
The air-con system of the eO500U is completely integrated into the energy management system. This maximises efficiency at the torrid latitudes where many South American cities are located. The EBS (electronic brake system) ensures optimum safety when braking. The front axle with independent suspension increases the comfort for passengers. The new instrument panel provides specific, real-time information about the electric motors, batteries and other electronic systems.
Modular NMC battery packs.
The electrical concept of the Brazilian bus chassis is closely based on the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro. It uses NMC high-voltage batteries throughout (NMC = Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt). Energy storage is provided by two battery packs in the rear and up to four on the roof. They can provide capacity of 210, 280 or 350 kWh. At a power of max. 250 kW (335 hp), one battery charging cycle can achieve ranges up to 300 km.
Plug-in charging takes place via the CCS2 plugs at the bus depot’s charging columns. With a maximum of 150 kW charging capacity, the high-voltage batteries are fully charged in three hours.
As soon as the driver presses the accelerator after starting the vehicle, the energy is supplied to the two electrical hub traction motors fitted to the left and right on the electrical drive axle in the rear of the bus.
If the vehicle is coasting without acceleration or if the driver brakes, the recuperation process takes place automatically: both electric motors then become generators, supplying the batteries with the energy regained by this process.
Support for operators, fleet managers and drivers.
“Energy is what drives us day by day to offer our customers the best,” says Walter Barbosa, director of bus sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz do Brasil. While city bus fleets convert from diesel to electric, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is offering its customers comprehensive support and services based on the extensive global experience of Daimler Buses in the fully electric sector.
“Through our e-mobility team, we offer consultation for bus operators and public transport managers as well as technical and operational training for public transport companies, drivers, sales and workshop staff, city bus bodywork manufacturers and other partners,” Roberto Leoncini says. In close collaboration with bodywork manufacturers, suppliers, energy companies and specialist charging technology manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is also working on providing the specific energy supplies, charging infrastructure and special fleet management systems for electric buses that customers require.
