• Active support for the new initiative “Deutschland blickt’s” (“Germany gets it”) by the Blicki e.V. association, including vehicles and event locations planned for the upcoming year
• First appearance of the new “Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck” in Berlin – the battery-electric long-haul truck eActros 600
• Changing safety framework conditions due to increasing electrification
• Joint press event with Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder and VDA President & Blicki Ambassador Hildegard Müller for the presentation of the initiative
• Achim Puchert, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “Trucks keep the economy and our daily lives moving and are therefore an integral part of traffic. As the leading manufacturer by market share in Germany, we are fully aware of our special responsibility and aim to ensure a high level of safety for drivers as well as for other road users with our vehicles.”
• Till Oberwörder, CEO Daimler Buses: “Buses are indispensable for our society – they connect people and provide mobility for all generations. Road safety is always a top priority for us, and as the number one in Germany by market share, we can make a difference: we continuously invest in cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive driver training to enhance safety for everyone.”

Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Berlin – The Daimler Truck divisions Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses are supporting the new nationwide initiative “Deutschland blickt’s” (“Germany gets it”) by Blicki e.V. The association has a network of experts specializing in child‑friendly mobility education and has already trained over 90,000 children across Germany. The initiative, which will launch in 2026, focuses on new challenges in road safety arising from the increasing electrification of road traffic — such as altered driving behavior and new soundscapes.

This was announced today at the Federal Ministry of Transport in Berlin at a joint press event by VDA President and Blicki ambassador Hildegard Müller, Achim Puchert, CEO Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck, as well as Till Oberwörder, CEO Daimler Buses, and Dirk Hendler, Managing Director of Blicki e.V.

Trucks and buses, as large and heavy vehicles, play a particularly important role in road safety, as accidents involving them often have more serious consequences. Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses pursue the vision of accident‑free driving and rely on active and passive safety systems as well as training programs for drivers. The manufacturers are consistently driving the transformation toward electrified trucks and buses and, as two of the industry's pioneers, already offer numerous electric production models.
For these vehicles, the two Daimler Truck divisions provide additional safety systems.
As market share leaders in Germany, they plan to support the initative by providing vehicles as well as sales and service locations for events focused on training.

The multi-year initiative aims to raise awareness for more consideration, caution, and foresight in road traffic. Its goal is to promote a new sense of togetherness on the road — something that is becoming increasingly important in the age of e‑mobility. Another key motivation is the growing aggressiveness in road traffic: according to a recent ADAC survey, two‑thirds of drivers perceive increasing aggression on the roads ⁽¹⁾. The initiative seeks to send a clear message in favor of greater mutual attentiveness. “Deutschland blickt's” will launch in Saxony, Bavaria, Hesse, Berlin, and Hamburg, and will involve additional supporters from business, sports, and society. It focuses on education, especially targeting primary and elementary school children and their families.

Current figures from the Federal Statistical Office highlight the relevance of the initiative: last year, a child was injured or killed in road traffic every 19 minutes. This corresponds to around 27,260 children under the age of 15 ⁽²⁾. On average, eight people died every day as a result of road traffic accidents — a total of 2,770 individuals ⁽³⁾. According to the latest figures published by the EU in February 2025, based on the CARE database, in 2023 around 90 percent of fatalities in accidents involving commercial vehicles over 3.5 tons were people who were not occupants of those vehicles. Car occupants accounted for about 50 percent of the fatalities, followed by pedestrians at around 15 percent, and cyclists at approximately 6 percent. In bus accidents, around 20 percent of the fatalities were bus occupants — passengers and drivers — while approximately 34 percent were car occupants, around 29 percent pedestrians, and about 9 percent cyclists ⁽⁴⁾. 

Achim Puchert: “Trucks keep the economy and our daily lives running and are therefore an integral part of road traffic. As the leading manufacturer in terms of market share in Germany, we are aware of our special responsibility and aim to ensure a high level of safety for drivers as well as for other road users with our vehicles. To achieve this, we offer state‑of‑the‑art assistance systems and continuously develop them further. There will always be technical limitations, and responsibility will continue to lie with the driver. But road safety can only truly succeed through responsible behavior from everyone involved. We look forward to taking an active role in ‘Deutschland blickt’s’ — especially in light of the new requirements brought about by electric drives.”

Till Oberwörder: “Buses are indispensable for our society — they connect people and create mobility for all generations. Road safety has always been a top priority for us, and as the number one in Germany in terms of market share, we can make a difference: We continuously invest in modern technologies and comprehensive driver training to enhance safety for everyone — our drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. We are proud to be a partner of the initiative and want to advocate together for more consideration, caution, and foresight in road traffic — especially in the context of e‑mobility.”

Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister for Transport: “The traffic safety of children and young people is a matter of particular concern to me. In order to move safely in road traffic, they must learn from an early age to perceive and understand traffic attentively. As part of the ‘Blicki blickt’s’ project, pupils learn, for example, what a blind spot is and what dangerous situations can arise from it. With this and many other prevention projects, we raise awareness among our young road users at an early stage about the risks in road traffic and thus prepare them for safe and independent mobility.”

Hildegard Müller: “Safety is the top priority for the German automotive industry. Companies and their employees work intensively every day to make mobility ever safer – not only for vehicle occupants, but of course also for everyone else participating in traffic. In addition, road traffic above all requires mutual consideration from each of us. A particular focus of our work is naturally on the youngest, which is why Blicki e.V. and its new initiative ‘Deutschland blickt’s’ are so important. Supporting this is a matter close to my heart. “

Dirk Hendler: “Traffic is not just a space for mobility — it reflects the climate of our society. Aggression on the roads, a harsher tone in public spaces — it’s all connected. This is exactly where ‘Deutschland blickt’s’ comes in. We know that road safety is more than a matter of technology and infrastructure. That’s why ‘Deutschland blickt’s’ is more than just a road safety initiative. It’s a call to action. Because each of us is part of the problem — and each of us can be part of the solution. Those who show responsibility in traffic carry that attitude into everyday life. Those who lead by example make road traffic and our society safer. Only when we think about road safety in a 360-degree way — combining excellent technology with the three superpowers: consideration, caution, and foresight — can we truly travel safely together.”

New Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck is an electric truck – 
changing conditions due to electrification

At the press event in Berlin, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks presented its new Safety Truck for the first time: a battery‑electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 designed for long‑haul transport. The eActros 600 is produced at the manufacturer’s assembly plant in Wörth am Rhein. With the Safety Truck and Safety Coach as dedicated presentation vehicles, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses traditionally showcase the current state of safety technology. The vehicles are also prominently wrapped to visually emphasize the topic of safety. The truck manufacturer chose an electric vehicle for the new Safety Truck to draw attention to the changing conditions for road safety brought about by increasing electrification. Other road users must adapt to a new soundscape and quicker acceleration. Rescue forces also need to prepare for high-voltage technology.

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks has included electric trucks in its portfolio since 2021.
The eActros 300/400 for heavy-duty distribution was the first battery‑electric vehicle introduced, followed a year later by the eEconic, designed for municipal waste collection.
At the end of 2024, series production of the second model generation began with the eActros 600 for long-haul transport. By the end of the year, series production of the new eActros 400 for heavy-duty distribution is also planned — a new variant based on the technology of the eActros 600.

The changes in road safety brought about by e‑mobility apply largely in the same way to electric buses. Acceleration in e‑buses is electronically controlled – dynamic, yet always comfortable and safe, even for standing passengers.

Daimler Buses has been offering various electric versions of its city bus, the Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro, for several years. The vehicle has been in series production since 2018 and is manufactured, among other locations, in Mannheim. Since 2023, it has also been available as the eCitaro fuel cell, featuring a hydrogen-based fuel cell as a range extender. Series production of the new battery‑electric intercity bus, the eIntouro, will begin next year.
At today’s event in Berlin, the bus manufacturer presented its already unveiled Mercedes‑Benz Tourismo Safety Coach — a conventionally powered vehicle.

Acoustic Warning System for the detectability of battery-electric trucks and buses

A feature specifically for trucks and buses with battery-electric drive such as the eActros 600 and the eCitaro is the externally Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) required by law. Background: The low noise level of the electric vehicle could in individual cases lead to dangerous situations if, for example, pedestrians or cyclists notice the electric truck or the electric bus too late. The acoustic warning system is intended to prevent such dangerous situations. For this purpose, AVAS plays sounds via loudspeakers during forward and reverse driving.

Passive safety in the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600

The Mercedes‑Benz eActros 600 was developed with a holistic safety concept that takes into account the specific conditions of electric truck traffic in the area of passive safety. Insights from in‑house accident research were incorporated into the vehicle design at an early development stage. The goal was to realistically simulate typical heavy‑duty accident scenarios and integrate targeted protective measures. Regularly conducted real‑world crash tests confirm the structural stability of the vehicle in the event of a high-impact side collision. The result: the entire high‑voltage system and all electrical components remain intact. The frame architecture, specially developed for heavy‑duty collisions, prevents critical deformation of the battery housing. The reinforced driver’s cab and defined energy absorption zones in the front section can also channel forces in a frontal impact through crash-optimized structures. In addition, airbag systems and seatbelt tensioners contribute to enhanced occupant protection.

Even after the start of series production, real crash tests are regularly carried out to incorporate new findings from the field into further development. In this way, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks pursues the goal of developing further the passive safety of its battery‑electric vehicles.

Passive safety in the Mercedes-Benz Safety Coach

The Mercedes‑Benz Safety Coach is equipped with the Front Collision Guard (FCG). This is a special passive safety system designed to protect drivers and their companions in the event of a frontal collision. The safety system consists of a cross section that, in the event of an accident, acts as an underride guard for partner protection and can, for example, prevent a passenger car from underriding. The framework behind this profile consists of crash elements that are designed to absorb energy in the event of an impact.

Furthermore, the driver’s area of the coach, including steering, pedals, and seat, is mounted on a massive frame section that can move completely backward in the event of a severe frontal collision, thereby significantly increasing the survival space. The developers have practically tested the effect of the Front Collision Guard in crash tests. The FCG also already meets future legal standards for pendulum impact tests on coaches.

Active electronic assistants for traffic protection in Safety Truck and Safety Coach

Active safety assistance systems help drivers recognize dangerous situations in time, brake early, and maintain an overview of traffic conditions. These electronic assistants can particularly help ensure that moments of inattentiveness — due to fatigue, stress, or distraction — remain as harmless as possible for everyone involved. Examples include emergency braking assist, turning assist, front collision warning system, traffic sign recognition, or attention assist:

The Daimler Truck divisions pursue the goal of supporting the driver as best as possible within the system limits when operating the vehicle. However, drivers remain, as legally stipulated, fully responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle at all times.

The MirrorCam, the mirror replacement system developed by Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses, can also help make situations such as overtaking, maneuvering, cornering, and passing through narrow sections safer and less stressful. The interaction of MirrorCam with the turning assist system from Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses, especially in complex traffic situations and unclear intersection areas, can help defuse dangerous situations. For visual warnings to the driver, the turning assist uses the MirrorCam display.

Training and courses for truck and bus drivers

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks and Daimler Buses offer driver training focused on driving safety. In practical training sessions, hazardous situations are realistically simulated, and the correct response is practiced. Additionally, participants learn how to safely handle modern safety assistance systems. This targeted approach promotes reliable, economical, and confident driving while also fulfilling the legal requirements for continuing education for professional drivers.

About the eActros 600, the expanded e-truck portfolio, infrastructure, and hydrogen

The eActros 600 has three battery packs with a total installed battery capacity of 621 kWh⁽⁵⁾ – hence the designation 600. This enables a range of 500 kilometers⁽⁶⁾ without intermediate charging – depending on equipment, driving style, route, and other influencing factors, significantly more is possible. Since December 2024, the eActros 600 has been delivered to customers and is now in daily operation on roads in over 15 European countries. Even before its series launch, it proved its capabilities under real-world conditions during the “eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024”, a fully electric development drive of over 15,000 kilometers through 22 countries, as well as the “European Testing Tour Winter 2025” covering around 6,500 kilometers through Northern Europe – each with a total gross combination weight of 40 tons.

Furthermore, the e‑truck was named “International Truck of the Year 2025.” This award is the most important prize in the industry and is presented annually by the International Truck of the Year (IToY) organization, consisting of 24 independent commercial vehicle journalists from Europe.

The portfolio based on the eActros 600 will be expanded from the end of 2025 with a variety of new variants, including the eActros 400. With numerous new combination options based on both models, the offering will be specifically broadened to meet even more logistics requirements in heavy long-haul and distribution transport electrically. Thus, the eActros will in the future be offered as the eActros 400 with two and as the eActros 600 with three battery packs – each optionally as a tractor unit or flatbed chassis, tailored to individual requirements for application, range, and payload. In addition, customers will be able to choose between two cab options. Starting in 2026, a small series of the new eArocs 400 for urban construction transport, presented in spring 2025, will be launched, which will also adopt key components from the eActros 600.

Under the brand name TruckCharge, Daimler Truck bundles its offerings around E‑infrastructure and the charging of electric trucks. This includes consulting, building charging infrastructure, and its operation. Under the TruckCharge brand, the establishment of a Europe‑wide charging network for electric trucks is also being pursued, involving both the more than 1,000 dealers and interested customers of Mercedes‑Benz Trucks to open their charging infrastructure to third parties and thus achieve better utilization. The network is expected to include over 3,000 fast-charging points in Europe by 2030, making it the largest in Europe. The joint venture Milence, founded in 2022 by Daimler Truck, the Traton Group, and the Volvo Group, aims to build and operate high-performance public charging points for heavy commercial vehicles in Europe. Milence focuses on charging stations along highways and major traffic routes.

In addition to battery‑electric vehicles, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks also relies on hydrogen‑powered trucks for decarbonizing transport. Since 2021, the manufacturer has been developing and testing prototypes of the Mercedes‑Benz GenH2 Truck with fuel cells, which have demonstrated their reliability and performance in flexible long‑haul transport with ranges of 1,000 km and more. Recently, initial customer-oriented trials were completed, during which five GenH2 Trucks collectively covered over 225,000 kilometers in regular operation – a second trial phase with the same vehicles and additional customers is currently being launched. From the end of 2026, a small series of 100 tractor units will be produced at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Wörth and deployed with customers. The goal is industrial series production of hydrogen‑powered trucks – initially for the European market – starting in the early 2030s.

About Daimler Buses’ electrification strategy

Daimler Buses has a clear e‑roadmap for electrifying its vehicles across all segments. In line with the dual strategy of its parent company Daimler Truck, Daimler Buses relies on both battery‑electric and hydrogen‑based technology. Electric city buses have been in series production since 2018. Intercity e‑buses will follow in 2026 with the Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro. In addition, Daimler Buses plans to have battery‑electric coaches in its portfolio by the end of the decade. Fuel cell coaches are then intended to go into series production in the next step. Currently, test drives are being conducted with the technology carrier “H2 Coach” featuring a hydrogen‑based fuel cell drive. The vehicle is based on a three‑axle Setra high‑deck coach of the ComfortClass type S 517 HD, which has been appropriately modified.

Daimler Buses is electrifying its portfolio far beyond the vehicle itself: Starting in 2026, the company will launch comprehensive e‑services for its electrically powered buses. These include, among other things, battery reconditioning and replacement with the latest generation. The goal is long and economical use of electric buses — comparable to conventional vehicles. The wholly owned subsidiary Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH has also specialized in the design and construction of electromobility and H2 refueling infrastructure. It has already electrified numerous depots on a turnkey basis and will expand its portfolio from 2026 to include public charging stations for e‑buses at tourist hotspots in Europe. These charging points will be operated by the company itself. The aim is to enable the use of e‑buses even for remote travel destinations.

Daimler Buses thus offers a complete package for electrification across all segments and delivers the right buses at the right time — when the infrastructure is ready.

About Blicki e.V.

Blicki e.V. is dedicated to the safety of children. With Blicki, the kangaroo mascot, the support of the Federal Ministry of Transport, and many Blicki ambassadors, the non‑profit association has already prepared more than 90,000 children nationwide for road traffic. It is supported by a broad alliance of partners: www.blicki-blickts.de/deutschland-blickts

About the Mercedes-Benz Trucks segment

Mercedes‑Benz Trucks, a business unit of Daimler Truck AG, is responsible for the global activities of the Mercedes‑Benz and BharatBenz brands under the leadership of Achim Puchert. The Mercedes‑Benz Trucks product range extends from heavy‑duty long-haul trucks and 8‑ton trucks for urban distribution to trucks for special applications. Mercedes‑Benz Trucks has its own international sales and service network, which is constantly being developed. The BharatBenz brand's product range includes heavy and medium‑duty trucks as well as buses and is specifically aimed at customers in the Indian market. BharatBenz also has a close-knit service network. The Mercedes‑Benz Trucks segment operates production facilities around the globe, some of which are accompanied by test and development sites. In addition, there are further production facilities operated with partners in various countries. The Global Parts Center in Halberstadt, Saxony‑Anhalt, which was inaugurated in July 2025, will control the entire spare parts supply for Mercedes-Benz Trucks in the future.

Sustainability is an integral part of the strategy at Mercedes‑Benz Trucks. As part of Daimler Truck AG, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks pursues a clear goal: to decarbonize road freight transport step by step and drive the transformation of the transport industry forward. With battery‑electric and hydrogen‑based drive solutions, digital services, and climate‑friendly, resource‑efficient production and supply processes, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks is shaping the path toward locally CO₂e‑free transport across the entire value chain. With its safety and assistance systems as well as automated driving functions, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks also makes an important contribution to road safety. In doing so, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks plays a key role in Daimler Truck AG’s sustainability strategy.

About the Daimler Buses segment

The Daimler Truck segment Daimler Buses, under the leadership of Till Oberwörder, is one of the world’s leading bus manufacturers with numerous national companies and is responsible for the global activities of the bus and service brands Mercedes‑Benz, Setra, Omniplus, and BusStore. Daimler Buses’ product range includes coaches, intercity buses, city buses, and special‑purpose buses as well as bus chassis. In addition to the production and sale of new buses, Daimler Buses has a global service network and offers comprehensive services related to the vehicles, including the trade of used buses.

Daimler Buses’ locations include Daimler Buses GmbH with numerous subsidiaries in Europe, Daimler Buses Latin America in Brazil, Daimler Buses Mexico, Daimler Coaches North America, and the bus business of Mercedes‑Benz Türk A.Ş. in Turkey.

With production sites in Mannheim and Neu‑Ulm, Daimler Buses is the only manufacturer of buses over 8 tons that produces city, intercity, and coaches in Germany.

Notes for Journalists

First photos with Federal Transport Minister Schnieder from the press event in Berlin will be available today from around 2 p.m. at the following link:

https://www.daimlertruck.com/newsroom/events/2025/deutschland-blickts-verkehrssicherheit-im-zeitalter-der-e-mobilitaet

Further information on the “Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck” can be found at the same link.

The Blicki e.V. press release can be found here:

www.blickitown.de/deutschland-blickts

_{(1) https://presse.adac.de/meldungen/adac-se/versicherungen-finanzdienste/zwei-von-drei-autofahrern-beklagen-aggressivitaet-auf-den-strassen.html
(2) https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/08/PD25_N043_46241.html
(3) https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/07/PD25_248_46241.html
(4) https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/c4e0c16c-0416-49b9-b0ae-669021e5313b_en?filename=ERSO-TR-ProfessionalDrivers-2025.pdfc4e0c16c-0416-49b9-b0ae-669021e5313b_en
(5) Nominal capacity of a new battery, based on internally defined boundary conditions. This may vary depending on the application and ambient conditions.
(6) The range was determined internally under specific test conditions, after preconditioning with a 4x2 tractor unit with a 40 tons total towing weight at 20°C outside temperature in long-haul operation and may deviate from the values determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/2400.}