Maxson Goh visits Transdev Blazefield’s Starbeck depot to discover the features of the Harrogate Bus Company’s new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fleet
Residents of Harrogate may have noticed a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses in service since November 2024 – not that they’re hard to miss with their sleek red bodies and massive Mercedes-Benz logo on the front. Following a successful trial with a single silver demonstrator unit, the new fleet is now fully operational, so residents of Harrogate can get used to seeing them every day.
These buses are equipped with large battery packs, eliminating the need for mid-day pantograph boost charging, which was necessary for the Volvo 7900 electric buses in service with the company since 2018. They also come with software that provides operators with real-time data, ranging from basic details such as location and battery charge level to more advanced features like tracking wheelchair ramp deployment times and accessing a fault list for the vehicles – without requiring a diagnostic scanner. Additionally, the system includes a built-in spare parts marketplace, allowing operators to add items to a basket just like a typical online shopping platform.
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