New offers for high-voltage batteries: Daimler Buses wants to use e services to continue growing

• Expansion of the e-portfolio beyond vehicles and infrastructure
• New services to extend the useful life of e-bus batteries
• Battery replacement with the latest generation possible from 2026
• Focus on long-term, sustainable and economical use of e-bus batteries

Daimler Buses is planning further growth in the field of e-mobility – also beyond vehicles and infrastructure. To this end, the enterprise is introducing new services to extend the useful life of electrically powered buses: For example, Daimler Buses is now offering its customers the reconditioning of electric bus batteries. In addition, the manufacturer is expanding its range in 2026 to include battery replacement for the latest generation with a longer range. Daimler Buses thus wants to enable the longest possible useful life for its electrified vehicles – as with diesel buses. The two offers are part of an e‑service offensive that looks at the total life cycle and profitability of e‑buses and batteries. Daimler Buses is initially offering the new services for the electrically powered Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro city bus. The vehicle has been in series production since 2018 and is now equipped with third-generation batteries (NMC3). In 2026, the significantly further developed, next battery generation (NMC4) is to follow. These services are also a possible prospect for the new Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro inter‑city bus in the future.

Maximized uptime thanks to new e-services

With the reconditioning and replacement of batteries, Daimler Buses aims for long‑term and thus sustainable use in the vehicle. Like all batteries, electric bus batteries lose capacity over the years with intensive use. The manufacturer is now reconditioning first‑generation NMC1 batteries as required, which significantly increases the capacity and thus also the electric range of the buses. In the future, the reworking of batteries will be extended to NMC2 and NMC3 generations.

In addition, Daimler Buses will also replace batteries of all predecessor generations (NMC1 to NMC3) depending on the customer’s planned operating period from 2026. The enterprise then replaces them with the latest NMC4 models, which enables an increase in capacity and thus also greater ranges of existing e‑buses compared to their new condition. A special feature is that, depending on the vehicle configuration and the original battery generation, fewer batteries may be required, based on the same or higher total capacity of the NMC4 batteries.

Daimler Buses will also use the reconditioning and replacement of batteries to the new NMC4 generation for its used vehicle range from BusStore. Customers can therefore also purchase used e‑buses with very high battery capacity or the latest battery technology.

Digital service portfolio for maximum battery service life in the vehicle

Before reconditioning or replacement is necessary, the digital service portfolio of Daimler Buses helps to extend the battery service life in the vehicle: For example, software checks the status of the batteries in the electric bus fleet and compiles this information for the bus operator, including recommendations for action. Among other things, it detects state of charge, temperatures and non-operational times of the buses and recommends controls to protect the batteries.

To further protect the battery and avoid serious consequences, Daimler Buses is introducing a new emergency call function in the digital service Omniplus On Battery Monitoring for Busworld Europe 2025. If the temperature and other parameters of the high‑voltage battery unexpectedly exceed certain limit values, the horn and hazard warning lights are switched on in the vehicle and a pop‑up message appears in the driver’s display. At the same time, the warning is transmitted to the Omniplus On portal and a telephone number previously stored by the customer is called in order to inform them immediately about the malfunction. Serious damage can be avoided in this way. The new emergency call function of Battery Monitoring is recognized by many insurance companies as a fire prevention measure.

Long service life of e-buses thanks to warranties and repair options

With the introduction of the new NMC4 battery in 2026, Daimler Buses will also offer warranties of up to twelve years as part of new vehicle sales. This allows customers to use their vehicles economically and without risk over a long period of time. In addition, the manufacturer relies on a modular design of its batteries, enabling simple repairs.

Growing number of eBus service centers in Europe with extensive services

Omniplus already comprises more than 120 eBus service centers in Europe and continues to grow. The service employees are specially trained in the proper handling of electric vehicles and their high‑voltage technology. The sites have special facilities such as elevated racks or battery cranes for working directly on the high-voltage components or for repairing or replacing complete batteries. Customers of Daimler Buses also benefit from customized service solutions for their individual needs in their immediate vicinity after the vehicle purchase. This also includes a fast and reliable supply of replacement parts, which ensures that the e‑buses are always ready for use.

The life of the batteries after use in the vehicle

After the first life of the batteries in the vehicle, Daimler Buses offers solutions for so‑called “repurpose” applications. Here, the former high-voltage batteries are used, for example, in energy storage units to compensate for peak loads on the power grid or as intermediate storage units in solar and wind farms. Subsequently, at the end of the life cycle, the enterprise works with partners to offer recycling options to recover bound raw materials as far as possible. With the objective of enabling even more efficient recycling methods and a closed product life cycle, Daimler Buses is also participating in projects in Germany that are supported together with Daimler Truck.