Hat trick for Daimler Buses: The Mercedes?Benz eCitaro fuel cell took first place in the international electric bus comparison test conducted by the trade magazine Omnibusspiegel, earning the title “Electric Fuel Cell Bus Champion 2026.” This marks the third time that the coveted award has gone to a bus bearing the three?pointed star. At the same time, this victory represents a milestone for the eCitaro fuel cell: for the first time in the history of the renowned test, fuel?cell buses competed directly against one another. Among the five participating vehicles utilizing this drivetrain technology, the Mercedes?Benz eCitaro fuel cell emerged as the clear winner. The decision was made by a distinguished jury of international trade media representatives as well as officials from public transport operators and their associations.
Award presented at Bus2Bus in Berlin
Dieter Hanke, Publisher and Editor?in?Chief of Omnibusspiegel, and Kirsten Krämer, Editor at Omnibusspiegel, presented the award at the Bus2Bus trade fair in Berlin to Heinz Friedrich, Head of Sales & Service Germany at Daimler Buses.
“This win really means a lot to us —especially because it was achieved in the first fuel?cell comparison test conducted by Omnibusspiegel,” said Heinz Friedrich. “It shows that the Mercedes?Benz eCitaro fuel cell isn’t just cutting?edge technology—it also performs in tough, real?world conditions. For our customers, this sends a clear message: with the eCitaro fuel cell, they are choosing a vehicle that meets the highest standards in terms of range, reliability, and passenger comfort.”
Technology with a range advantage
The eCitaro fuel cell combines a fully electric drivetrain with a fuel cell acting as a range extender. The fuel cell continuously generates electricity while driving and feeds it into the high?voltage batteries, giving the city bus a significantly greater operating range than purely battery?electric vehicles—while maintaining locally CO??free operation. This makes it particularly well suited for demanding routes with long duty cycles.
Winning streak consistently continued
Daimler Buses had already claimed the “Electric Bus Champion” title in both 2023 and 2024—first with the eCitaro in the solo bus version, then with the articulated eCitaro G. With the triumph of the eCitaro fuel cell, the company now continues this successful streak and underscores its leading role in the electrification of public transportation.
