Daimler Buses unveils prototype of first battery-electric intercity bus

Mercedes-Benz eIntouro (Photo: Daimler Buses)

Daimler Buses has presented its first battery-electric intercity bus, the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, as a near production-ready prototype. The presentation took place during the company’s recent Daimler Buses eMobility Days event in Berlin.

Sharing much of the battery technology from the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 long-range truck, the eIntouro can be specified with either one or two LFP (lithium-iron phosphate) packs.

Each pack has a nominal capacity of 207 kWh, which should deliver a range of approximately 500 km. LFP tech means that more than 90% of battery capacity is available. The battery packs are said to offer a service life of up to 15 years, depending on use.

With a suitable connection/supply, recharging to 300 kWh can be achieved in 90 minutes. A single battery pack can be fully charged in 70 minutes.

A new electronic architecture will enable over-the-air software updates for buses without a workshop visit. The tech is set to be rolled out across all other future bus and coach models, helping to improve vehicle availability.

The model is intended for use on routes between urban and rural areas. This duty cycle has been addressed with longer range and higher average speeds compared to a standard city bus.

Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, said: “We are electrifying the important passenger transport segment between urban centers and rural regions with our new Mercedes-Benz eIntouro intercity bus. This is the next step in advancing the transformation towards the nationwide use of locally CO2-neutral buses.”

Two variants of the eIntouro are planned, with an overall length of 12.18 and 13.09 metres. These will respectively offer a maximum seating capacity of 50 and 63 passengers.

The world premiere of the production-ready eIntouro is set for the Busworld trade fair, which will be in Brussels, Belgium in October 2025.