Ljubljana puts 35 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses into service, combining battery-electric and hydrogen power
Ljubljana's public transport operator LPP has put 35 locally CO₂-free Mercedes-Benz buses into operation within one year: 25 battery-electric eCitaro and ten eCitaro G fuel cell models.
- 35
- 25
- 10
- One year
What Happened
The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is taking a technology-neutral approach to cleaning up its public transport, combining battery-electric and hydrogen technologies rather than relying on a single drivetrain. Within one year, municipal operator Ljubljanski Potniški Promet (LPP) put a total of 35 locally CO₂-free Mercedes-Benz buses into operation. The fleet consists of 25 battery-electric eCitaro buses and ten eCitaro G fuel cell buses, which the manufacturer describes as the foundation for flexible and reliable scheduled service. The purchase is the largest fleet modernization project in LPP's history.
- Used on city routes with predictable duty cycles and regular charging opportunities
- Used on routes with higher range requirements and an additional need for operational flexibility
35buses
25 battery-electric eCitaro plus ten eCitaro G fuel cell buses, deployed within one year
“Over the past year, we have built a locally CO₂-free fleet based on both battery-electric and hydrogen technology. Together, they create the foundation for reliable and future-ready public transport.”
The shift goes beyond buying new vehicles. Alongside the fleet renewal, LPP established the required charging and hydrogen infrastructure and further developed its operational processes for deploying the new drive technologies. The city describes this as a holistic approach linking vehicles, infrastructure and operations while keeping long-term flexibility for future requirements. The project also supports Ljubljana's participation in the European initiative '100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities', which aims to help cities on the path to climate neutrality.
“The transition to locally CO₂-free mobility today is far more than simply a vehicle issue. What matters is the interaction between vehicle technology, infrastructure, and operational expertise. LPP impressively demonstrates how these elements can work together successfully to create efficient and future-ready public transport.”
- Reduced CO₂ emissions and noise pollution
- A quiet drivetrain and low vibration levels
- Modern safety and assistance systems
- A high level of accessibility
- Improved passenger comfort and driving experience in everyday urban traffic
Previously from Daimler Truck AG
In October 2026, Daimler Buses said it is giving its Mercedes-Benz and Setra coaches new diesel engines, new ZF transmissions, a new electronic architecture and a revamped cockpit from 2027, cutting fuel use by up to six percent. Days later, the bus maker and its ELCH project partners took a joint drive in a battery-electric coach demonstrator in Neu-Ulm, a milestone in a publicly funded effort to build a coach with more than 500 kilometers of range.
- Daimler Buses updates Mercedes-Benz and Setra coaches with new diesel engines and up to 6% fuel savings
- Daimler Buses and partners test electric coach demonstrator with over 500 km range
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Daimler Truck AG's official releases.
Why this matters
The project is the largest fleet modernization in LPP's history and shows a transit operator betting on two zero-emission drivetrains at once rather than picking one. For riders in the Slovenian capital it means quieter, lower-vibration buses with modern safety and assistance systems; for city planners it is a test case in pairing vehicles with new charging and hydrogen infrastructure. It also feeds into Ljubljana's participation in the European '100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities' initiative.
Terms in This Story
- Technology-neutral
- An approach that does not mandate one technology, instead picking whichever powertrain best fits each route or use case.
- Fuel cell
- A drivetrain that produces electricity from hydrogen in an onboard cell, emitting no local CO₂, with range and refuelling closer to conventional vehicles.
- Locally CO₂-free
- No carbon dioxide is emitted at the point of use, such as by the bus itself, though emissions may arise elsewhere in producing the energy.
- Duty cycle
- The typical pattern of a vehicle's daily work — distance, stops and rest periods — which determines how well a battery-electric bus fits a route.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.