Germany – Daimler Buses* GmbH (owned by Daimler Truck AG of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany) has joined a consortium** as part of the GUW+ pilot project, to give a second life to its eCitaro batteries in the rectifier substation of Üstra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG in Hanover where a stationary power storage unit made from old eCitaro batteries has gone into operation. The storage system has a total capacity of more than 500 kWh and consists of 28 second-life battery systems from the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, with plans to scale up with another 490 batteries to be integrated into the second-life storage solution in 2026. Improving the eCitaro’s environmental footprint will further contribute to Daimler Buses' environmental and sustainability goals as well as improve its ESG*** score.

Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG specialising in the development of energy storage solutions, is responsible for the development and implementation of the second-life application. The NMC eCitaro batteries' service life usually ends after six years of continued use, according to the manufacturer. Once they drop to 80 percent of their original capacity, they are no longer fit for purpose and require replacement. This is when they will go into their second life and can run for another ten years in stationary operation. The batteries themselves, are currently coming from Daimler-owned eCitaro buses, used for test drives. However, in the future, batteries will be supplied from eCitaro buses owned by Hanover-based public transport operator Üstra.