Daimler Buses to Roll Out Public Charging Stations for Electric Coaches from 2026
Daimler Buses has announced a major step in the electrification of long-distance and intercity travel with plans to install public charging stations for electric buses and coaches starting in 2026. The initiative will target high-traffic tourist destinations across Europe, enabling zero-emission buses to operate beyond city limits and on popular travel routes.
The company will kick off the project with a pilot in Cologne, developed in collaboration with NRW.Energy4Climate and the City of Cologne. Four high-capacity, fast-charging stations, each with a nominal output of 400 kW, will be installed near the city center at the Kuhweg bus parking lot. These stations, available 24/7, will be accessible to all bus operators, regardless of brand, and will operate on green electricity.
A Push for Faster Infrastructure Expansion
Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, underlined the urgency of building a reliable charging network. “The future of the bus is electric. But building the necessary public infrastructure is taking too long. With our charging stations, we want to give an important push. Our new eIntouro intercity bus will already benefit from this expansion,” he said.
The Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, the company’s first battery-electric intercity bus, will debut at Busworld 2025 in Brussels on October 3. Capable of up to 500 km on a single charge with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, the bus is designed to connect cities, towns, and shorter tourist routes, currently the most viable use cases for electric coaches.
Cologne as a Pilot City
Cologne Deputy Mayor for Mobility, Ascan Egerer, welcomed the project: “Cologne attracts travel groups from across Germany and abroad. These fast-charging stations will make sustainable, zero-emission travel possible for visitors. We are proud to be a pilot city for this initiative.”
The city hopes to use the pilot project to assess demand and gather insights for future expansion of public charging for intercity buses and coaches.
Daimler Buses Solutions: A Turnkey Provider
The rollout will be managed by Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, a subsidiary that will handle planning, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance. Property owners will benefit from a complete charging infrastructure package without upfront investment, with refinancing achieved through electricity sales.
The initiative complements Milence, a joint venture of Daimler Truck, TRATON Group, and Volvo Group, which focuses on building charging stations for heavy-duty trucks along highways. Daimler Buses’ approach, however, zeroes in on tourist hubs, cities, and destinations away from highways, offering a wider charging ecosystem.
Daimler Buses at Busworld 2025
At the upcoming Busworld Europe trade show in Brussels (October 4–9), Daimler Buses will showcase 11 vehicles, including the new eIntouro and innovations such as the NMC4 battery for its eCitaro city bus. With this, Daimler Buses continues to strengthen its position as a leader in electric mobility, offering not just vehicles but also the infrastructure needed for sustainable transport.