Next generation battery for the eCitaro will be provided by BMZ: new partnership announced

Daimler Buses and Polish battery systems expert BMZ Poland have entered into a strategic partnership for the development and supply of the next generation of e-bus batteries.

The new battery generation NMC4 – succeeding the current NMC3 technology by BorgWarner launched in early 2023 – “will combine high energy density, resulting in a longer range for e-buses, with an ultra-long cycle life”, Daimler Buses states in a press note, mentioning that the new battery system will be available “from the middle of the decade”. 

Opening picture from archive – source Daimler Buses

So far Daimler Buses has been equipping the eCitaro family with batteries from German Akasol (then, from 2021, BorgWarner). Also LMP battery from BlueSolutions was offered as an option in the past. BMZ has been cooperating with Solaris as manufacturer of the Solaris High Energy+ batteries back in 2019. The Polish company announced in April 2021 its new generation of EV battery (REESS) dedicated for commercial applications. Named Magnus+, is presented as a scalable solution that can reach nearly 700 kWh.

Daimler Buses – BMZ deal for new generation bus batteries

Daimler Buses plans are for only locally CO2-neutral new vehicles to be sold in the core market of Europe by 2039. In the city bus segment, this is expected to be the case in Europe as early as 2030. 

Together with Daimler Buses, according to the new partnership, BMZ will further develop the existing battery technology specifically for the requirements of electrically powered buses.

Michael Klein, Chief Operating Officer Daimler Buses: “The collaboration between our companies combines two important aspects: Daimler Buses’ expertise in bus development and manufacturing as well as BMZ’s know-how in heavy-duty lithium-ion battery solutions. I am excited to see the development of an outstanding new generation of batteries for our electrically powered buses. This collaboration marks an important milestone in the shift towards zero-emission public transport across Europe.” 

Tomasz Jankowski, General Manager of BMZ Poland: “Development and production of the best-in-class e-bus systems has been our strategy for a decade. We are proud to be able to work with Daimler Buses. I personally treat this nomination as an award for the consistent strategy of growth and investment into the electric bus market. Now, together with Daimler Buses, we will be able to implement this strategy on a much larger scale.”

”We will extend our production in Gliwice, making this facility the first of its kind in the EU built for the purpose of bus battery production along with a fully automatic assembling line”, adds Paweł Kępski, Head of Business Unit EV, BMZ Poland.