Mercedes-Benz unveils electric intercity bus eIntouro: 500 kilometers range

Daimler Buses presented its first battery-electric long-distance bus, the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, as a near-production prototype at the "eMobility Days" in Berlin. The vehicle will offer a range of up to 500 km, making it suitable for longer distances and higher average speeds—such as on country roads—compared to an e-city bus. Realistically, around 300 km are expected on cold winter days. The bus will receive the LFP batteries from the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. Customers can order the new electric long-distance bus starting in early 2025, with the world premiere of the production vehicle scheduled for Busworld in October 2025 in Brussels. Initial customer deliveries are planned from 2026. At the same time, the manufacturer reported selling more electrically powered city buses than combustion engines in Europe for the first time.

"We actually don't need cars," said former Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum, who was invited as a laudator at the event.

People can walk, cycle, or, in bad weather, take the bus. Mobility doesn't work without it. The next step follows with the electrification of long-distance transport, similar to trucks, where the eActros 600 is already in initial operations on medium or even long distances. By the end of the decade, however, the bus division aims to also target emission-free long-distance service. It is already true today: A combustion engine coach is almost as climate-friendly as a train, with CO2 emissions per person well below that of a car driver. 

"Our customers will, for the most part, charge the eIntouro at the depot in the evenings, just like the eCitaro. However, they can also use it for excursions and smaller trips—provided there are a sufficient number of charging points available at service areas, tourist attractions, sports fields, or amusement parks. The need for infrastructure will become even greater, and the development must proceed faster. That is our appeal to politics and all stakeholders," explains Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses.

New Battery Generation "NMC4"

In addition, Daimler Buses introduced further innovations in Berlin: The new battery generation "NMC4" (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) with higher energy density will be available for all eCitaro models starting from 2026. Moreover, customers can now operate the electric hybrid city bus Mercedes-Benz eCitaro fuel cell solely on hydrogen using a new operating mode. Thus, the vehicle can be used completely independently of an E-charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, Daimler Buses is experiencing strong demand for the turnkey conversion of depots: In 2024 alone, the company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, won around 20 new projects.

eIntouro with LFP Batteries

The eIntouro is optionally available with one or two battery packs, each with a nominal capacity of 207 kWh. This allows the new bus to be used not only for classic intercity routes but also for smaller trips, shuttle, excursion, or school bus services. The two batteries can be fully charged within 90 minutes at up to 300 kW; with just one battery pack, this is possible in as little as 70 minutes. Additionally, over 95% of the installed capacity can be utilized with LFP technology. Depending on the respective applications, the batteries in the eIntouro offer a service life of up to 15 years.

The Mercedes-Benz eIntouro is offered in two variants. With a length of 12.18 m and 13.09 m and seating for 50 to a maximum of 63, the vehicle offers as much space as the conventionally powered variant. Consequently, it can replace a diesel-powered intercity bus one-to-one.

New Electronic Architecture

With the eIntouro, Daimler Buses is also introducing a new electronic architecture. This enables, for the first time, wireless software updates for buses—so-called "Over-the-air" updates (OTA)—without visiting a workshop. Workshop visits can thus be reduced and vehicle availability improved. The technology is intended to be used in all future bus models from the manufacturer. As of today, Daimler Buses will be able to offer this technology as the first bus manufacturer in Europe.

New Battery Generation NMC4

The new battery generation NMC4 will offer an energy density higher by 6% for greater ranges compared to the previous generation NMC3, thanks to a different cell chemistry. It enables increased storage capacity within the same installation space. The purely battery-electric operated eCitaro is expected to achieve ranges of 500 km with the new NMC4 batteries, and the eCitaro fuel cell even 700 km. Daimler Buses optionally offers its customers a warranty on the battery life of up to twelve years.

eCitaro Fuel Cell with Fuel Cell as the Only Energy Source

When operating the eCitaro fuel cell solely with hydrogen, the fuel cell takes over the complete charging of the battery. This is enabled by a new operating mode, which can be flexibly chosen by the customer. The stationary charging of the battery on the power grid is eliminated. The battery and the fuel cell remain the main energy source for the drive. Depending on the battery generation, ranges of up to 480 km are possible. This allows the eCitaro fuel cell to meet the requirements of transport companies that prefer the use of green hydrogen instead of grid electricity as an energy source.