Daimler Buses, MAN, E.ON, Metrans, Webasto, Avia Volt

During the “Daimler Buses eMobility Days,” Daimler Buses presented the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, its first fully electric intercity bus, as a near-production prototype. Equipped with two battery packs totaling 414 kWh, the bus is designed to achieve a range of up to 500 kilometers. The batteries, based on durable LFP technology, can be charged at up to 300 kW, with full charging taking approximately 1.5 hours for the maximum battery configuration. The eIntouro will be available in two lengths (12.2 m and 13.1 m) with up to 63 seats and features modular interior options for flexible layouts. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026. Daimler Buses also announced other innovations, including a next-generation “NMC4” (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery with higher energy density, available for all eCitaro models starting in 2026. Additionally, the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Fuel Cell city bus will now feature an operating mode that allows it to run exclusively on hydrogen. 

Avia Volt introduced the “Unity Titan Charge 600kW,” a new charging station capable of delivering up to 600 kW per charging point—one of the most powerful systems of its kind. With an optional support battery, the output can increase to 700 kW, enabling a 44-ton truck to charge in under 90 minutes. For comparison, previous standards maxed out at 400 kW. The station’s world premiere took place at the Auto Zürich, where Avia Volt represented Austrian manufacturer Kostad AG as an exclusive distribution partner. By 2035, Avia Volt plans to invest 50 million Swiss francs to establish a nationwide fast-charging network in Switzerland. Completed projects include a charging park in Chur and the first public charging park for electric trucks in St. Margrethen Süd. 

MAN Truck & Bus and E.ON have launched their second charging park for electric trucks in Karlsfeld, near Munich. Strategically located along federal road 304, the site offers eight charging points with up to 400 kW of power, provided by four Alpitronic Hypercharger HYC400 units. Features like extra-wide parking spaces and optimized maneuverability make the facility truck friendly. By 2025, 80 of the 170 planned charging parks from this partnership are expected to be operational across Europe, with 125 located in Germany. These charging points will also be accessible to vehicles from other manufacturers. 

The Metrans Group conducted tests in Slovakia on a newly developed hydrogen truck with a range of 600 kilometers. The truck features a 48-kilogram hydrogen tank and a 117 kW REFIRE fuel cell, designed to enable eco-friendly container transport. Based on the Ford F-Max platform, the truck has a gross vehicle weight capacity of 45 tons. Powered exclusively by green hydrogen, it will join Metrans' environmentally friendly fleet, which already includes electric and hybrid vehicles. 

At its Schierling plant, Webasto unveiled a battery storage system with a 1 MWh capacity, built using 30 repurposed battery modules. The modules, primarily sourced from pre-series production, are housed in a container that can be expanded as needed. The storage system is designed to store solar energy generated by the plant’s 750 kWp photovoltaic system and integrate it into the site’s energy management system. Looking ahead, Webasto plans to install four additional storage containers, each with a 4 MWh capacity, to further enhance the use of second-life batteries.