World premiere of the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro: e-mobility for inter city routes and excursions

• Efficient LFP battery technology
• Electric central drive with an out put of 320 kW
• New electronics architecture enables “over-the-air” updates for the first time
• Exterior and interior: Typical Intouro
• Coach-level cockpit
• Latest assistance and safety systems
• Omniplus: digital services for greater fleet efficiency and safety
• Daimler Buses Solutions: Total e-mobility from a single source

Daimler Buses is celebrating its world premiere at Busworld Europe 2025 from October 4 to 9, 2025 (October 3, Press Day) in Brussels: With the Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro, the enterprise is presenting its first all‑electric series-production inter‑city bus to the public. The high‑floor bus is based on the familiar diesel-powered Intouro, but has a battery‑electric drive. This means that Daimler Buses is now also enabling the switch to e‑mobility for the first time for classic inter‑city routes, school bus trips, and smaller trips. Two lengths are available: The 12.18‑meter eIntouro and the 13.09‑meter eIntouro M. This provides seating variants from 50 to a maximum of 63 seats. The vehicle has been available to order since spring 2025. The first customer vehicles are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026.

Efficient LFP battery technology

The new Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro is optionally available with one or two battery packs, each with a capacity of 207 kWh. The maximum total capacity is 414 kWh. The first battery pack is always accommodated in the space behind the front axle to ensure optimum weight distribution. The optional second battery is located in the previous engine compartment at the rear. The batteries and many of the high-voltage components of the new eIntouro are already successful in the battery‑electric long-haul truck Mercedes‑Benz eActros in action.

The batteries are based on lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP) and provide a supply voltage of 800 volts. The LFP cell chemistry exhibits very good performance in terms of calendar aging, which is why a service life of up to 15 years is possible for individual applications. In contrast to other battery cell technologies, more than 95 percent of the installed capacity can also be used with LFP technology. This enables a higher range with the same installed battery capacity. If equipped with two battery packs, the eIntouro can cover up to 500 kilometers^[1] without recharging, depending on driving style, topography, and weather conditions.

The batteries can be charged at charging stations overlaid with CCS type 2 plugs with up to 400 kW charging capacity when equipped with two battery packs and up to 225 kW charging capacity with one battery pack. Companies that already have eCitaro buses in their fleet can use the existing charging technology provided that it has an output voltage of at least 900 V. Customers can select four different positions for the charging sockets on the eIntouro: Front, rear, right and left behind the front axle. A maximum of two charging sockets are possible per vehicle.

Electric central drive with an out put of 320 kW

Daimler Buses combines tried-and-tested components for the powertrain: The central drive ZF CeTrax 2 dual CX332 with 320 kW continuous performance and a maximum output torque of 24,700 Nm serves as the electric motor. The drive force is transmitted via a fully automatic three‑speed transmission integrated in the drive unit to the Mercedes‑Benz RO 440 drive axle. This configuration enables a high share of common parts with the conventional Intouro and thus a high level of availability and profitability.

New electronics architecture enables “over-the-air” updates for the first time

With the Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro, Daimler Buses is the first bus manufacturer in Europe to present a bus that can be updated over‑the‑air. Software updates are transmitted to the vehicle via the mobile network and the system is updated without a workshop visit being required as previously. Updates are controlled via the Omniplus On portal. If an update is available, the fleet manager receives a message and can then release individual vehicles for the update. The desired time for installation can also be selected in the portal. In all cases, installation only takes place when the vehicle is stationary, the parking brake is applied and drive‑ready state is switched off. No internet connection is required during installation.

This innovative technology is made possible by the new electronics architecture in the eIntouro, which allows secure two‑way communication and the transfer of possible updates via mobile communications. This means that the software of the control units in the vehicle can always be kept up to date without having to bring the vehicle to the workshop. This reduces the number of workshop visits and improves vehicle availability.

The update capability is not limited to necessary security updates. General software updates and changed settings can also be installed in this way quickly and without great expense. And even contactless activation of optional retrofit functions will be possible with over-the-air updates in the future. 

Exterior and interior: Typical Intouro

On the outside, the eIntouro is hardly distinguishable from the familiar Intouro models. Like these, it has a functionally designed body with a steeply protruding windshield above the powerful and brand-typical unit of radiator grille and headlamps. The straight side walls are almost seamlessly smooth. The body is therefore easy to clean and can also be easily equipped with company lettering or advertising.

The passenger compartment of the eIntouro boasts a modular design. Its equipment with various seating variants and luggage shelves as well as a wide entrance with single‑leaf door at the front and optional single or double‑wide entrance in the middle covers a wide spectrum, from strictly cost-oriented inter-city buses to comfortable versions for excursions and short trips. The 13‑meter version can also be equipped with a toilet in front of the rear entrance. A lift on the right-hand side is optionally available for both length variants.

Coach-level cockpit

As is typical for Mercedes‑Benz buses, the driver’s seat of the eIntouro is ergonomically perfect and driver-oriented. The high-quality cockpit also achieves a high‑end touring coach level thanks to its pleasant feel and visual appeal. The direction of travel is selected as usual via the D‑N‑R setting on the pitman arm. The instrumentation designed for the all‑electric drive corresponds to the familiar displays from the eCitaro. A power availability display replaces the tachometer. It indicates the current power demand or recuperation. The driver also receives information about the state of charge of the batteries. From the central display, they can also access the range, power availability, and a charging indicator.

Latest assistance and safety systems

The safety equipment in the new eIntouro includes a multitude of state-of-the-art assistance systems. The optional emergency braking system Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) can react to pedestrians and cyclists crossing its lane, approaching the vehicle, or moving along its own lane with automatic maximum full-stop braking. Sideguard Assist 2 monitors not only the front passenger side but also the driver’s side. At speeds above 40 km/h, Sideguard Assist 2 also performs the function of a lane change assistant. Up to the maximum permissible speed, it informs the driver of objects on both sides of the vehicle. Frontguard Assist monitors the traffic area in front of the vehicle up to a speed of 15 km/h and can warn the driver of people or obstacles when moving off. The eIntouro’s standard equipment also includes the intelligent Traffic Sign Assist speed limiter, the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system, Attention Assist (AtAs), an interface for the use of alcohol testers for the driver’s area, and a reversing camera. As an alternative to the reversing camera, enterprises can choose the optional 360° camera system. MirrorCam instead of conventional mirrors is also available for the eIntouro.

Omniplus: Services for increased fleet efficiency and safety

The entire range of Omniplus services is available for the Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro in order to make the best possible use of the technological potential of the bus. These include, for example, the eService contracts eBasic and ePremium, which have been specially designed for electric buses and offer different repair scopes, in addition to maintenance of the vehicle and high‑voltage components. However, this also includes the digital service Omniplus On Uptime pro, which has become an indispensable tool for many bus operators to improve the availability and profitability of their fleet and which is becoming increasingly important as they switch to e‑mobility.

Whether it’s the monitoring of an individual bus every second of its operation or the holistic analysis of a complete fleet – the continuous flow of data makes it possible. This works via the Omniplus On portal, in which information on trip data or the current technical status of the bus – for example on energy consumption, state of charge or battery status – can be called up. For the new eIntouro, Remote Control Functions can also be booked in the Omniplus On portal, which protects the batteries and enables remote preconditioning without a charging management system. In addition, Omniplus offers the digital Battery Monitoring service for the eIntouro, which provides fleet operators with information on the condition of the high‑voltage battery and recommendations for careful handling. The new location services plus for zone‑controlled speed control can also be used with the eIntouro in future. 

Customers with an existing fleet management system can use the Omniplus On data packages. These enable the data of the eIntouro to be integrated into third‑party software via an interface. With the ITxPT TiGR data package, customers have the option of integrating the data of their eIntouro into their existing fleet management system via a harmonized interface with a uniform transmission protocol and obtaining a homogeneous data basis for the total fleet. The data interfaces meet the highest quality standards, and the total communication path from the vehicle to the cloud is certified in accordance with the latest UN ECE R155 Cyber Security standard.

Omniplus Charge: Charge up your business with a new brand

From autumn, Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH will be offering its services under the new Omniplus Charge brand and thus under the strong common Omniplus brand umbrella. This combines classic services with Omniplus On to provide a comprehensive range of digital services. Daimler Buses Solutions advises transport companies and actively accompanies them on their journey to e-mobility. The enterprise specializes in consulting, designing, and building e-mobility and H₂ infrastructure. In cooperation with experts from Daimler Buses Solutions and other partners, Daimler Buses can supply the entire e‑mobility ecosystem from a single source if requested: From the feasibility analysis, to the custom‑configured electric bus, to the complete e‑mobility infrastructure for the depot, including construction measures, electrical installations, chargers (including maintenance and service), battery storage facilities, charging management systems, and other digital services.

New in the portfolio is the Charging‑as‑a‑Service offering, whereby Daimler Buses Solutions takes over the operation of the charging infrastructure completely and the customer can conveniently charge at their own depot with monthly billing.