Daimler Buses has completed first customer test drive of its new battery-electric intercity bus, Mercedes-Benz eIntouro.
During the test in early April 2025, the near-production battery-electric prototype travelled approximately 380km on the regular route of the EUROBUS Rustexpress from Bassersdorf in Switzerland via Zurich to Europa-Park in Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany and back.
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The eIntouro prototype is equipped with two high-voltage batteries providing a combined capacity of 414kWh, enabling it to complete the nearly 200km one-way journey regardless of weather conditions or onboard climate control usage.
Swiss bus travel company EUROBUS currently operates the Rustexpress using conventionally powered coaches, primarily supplied by Daimler Buses.
Daimler Buses plans to begin production of the eIntouro in 2026, with one of the initial series vehicles scheduled to enter service on a Rustexpress line.
The diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz Intouro bus serves as the basis for eIntouro electric bus.
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By GlobalDataDaimler Buses marketing, sales and customer services head Mirko Sgodda said: “Before market launch, all newly developed vehicle types at Daimler Buses have to go through a very extensive testing phase. This naturally also applies to the new eIntouro.
“We test the driving characteristics of the bus under a wide range of conditions, such as the recent winter test at the Arctic Circle at up to minus 30 degrees. However, this also includes extensive testing in real customer applications.
“This test drive in collaboration with EUROBUS, the Swiss market leader, is the first of many in which the eIntouro will prove its performance and reliability.”
The Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro features a “purely battery-electric drive”, marking Daimler Buses’ entry into electric mobility for interurban routes, school buses, and short excursions.
The eIntouro and its longer variant, the eIntouro M, offer seating for 50 to 63 passengers. The model will also support remote software updates, eliminating the need for workshop visits.
In another development, Daimler Buses acquired 49% stake in Sinos, a Germany-based software solutions provider for the electrified city bus fleets.
Sinos provides software solutions tailored for the management of electrified city bus fleets, particularly focusing on intelligent charging management systems.
