Starting in 2026, Daimler Buses will begin installing public charging stations for electrically powered intercity buses and coaches at coach parking areas in major tourist cities. A pilot project with four charging points will be set up in Cologne.
As an extension of its Omniplus after-sales services, Daimler Buses is launching Omniplus Charge. Through this initiative, Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH — founded in 2023 — focuses on providing consulting and service offerings, as well as the construction, operation, and maintenance of charging infrastructure for Daimler Buses.
As governments and utility companies are delaying the construction of public charging stations for electric coaches – thereby seriously jeopardising their operation and breakthrough – Daimler Buses is taking matters into its own hands as the only bus manufacturer to do so for the time being. The introduction of the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro intercity bus serves as the starting point for this new project.
From 2026, Daimler Buses will set up public charging stations for electric buses and coaches at busy tourist locations. In this way, Daimler Buses aims to enable and promote the effective and efficient use of electric coaches on travel routes.
Providing a boost
Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses:
“The development of the required public charging infrastructure is taking far too long. With our charging stations, we want to provide a significant boost. Our new battery-electric intercity bus, the eIntouro, already connects cities and rural areas and is also suitable for shorter trips. These are currently the most practical applications for electric buses and coaches outside urban public transport.”
The initiative begins with a pilot project in Cologne, in cooperation with the regional energy and climate protection authority NRW.Energy4Climate and the City of Cologne. Four public fast-charging points of 400 kW for electric buses and coaches will be installed at the central “Buspark Cologne” parking area. Following this pilot project, similar charging stations are planned near theme parks and in other European cities. Eight other projects are being considered, including one in Lüneburg with 20 charging points and another in the Czech city of Brno.