Daimler Buses has unveiled a new electric bus aimed at the interurban transport segment. The Mercedes-Benz eIntouro is a high-floor bus based on the diesel-powered Intouro. In terms of its electric drive, however, it has less in common with the Mercedes eCitaro electric city bus and more with the Mercedes eActros 600 electric truck.
Daimler Buses and Daimler Truck are pursuing a common parts strategy. The eIntouro’s battery packs are the same as those found in the eActros 600—they use an LFP chemistry, operate at 800 volts, and have a capacity of 207 kWh each—and the two EVs also share several high-voltage components. However, the eIntouro offers configurations with either one or two battery packs for a maximum capacity of 414 kWh, delivering a range of up to 500 km, whereas the eActros 600 can be equipped with up to three packs for a maximum capacity of 621 kWh.
The eIntouro’s first battery pack is located behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution, and the optional second pack is located in the former engine compartment at the rear. Daimler Buses says it opted for LFP chemistry because it “performs very well in terms of calendar aging,” and should deliver a service life of up to 15 years.
The eIntouro uses the Cetrax central drive from ZF, which delivers 320 kW continuous power to an RO 440 drive axle, built by Daimler, which features an integrated automatic three-speed gearbox. A high proportion of parts are shared with the legacy Intouro, which Daimler says ensures “a high level of availability and cost-effectiveness in operation.” The bus is charged via a CCS type 2 connector at speeds of up to 300 kW.
The eIntouro will initially be available in 12.2-meter (50 seats) and 13.1-meter (63 seats) versions. The interior fittings are very similar to those of the legacy Intouro. A modular design supports several seating arrangements and choices of amenities to cover a wide range of applications. Options include a toilet and a wheelchair lift.
The instrumentation is similar to that of the eCitaro, and a range of driver assistance features is available. A new electronics architecture enables over-the-air updates, which can deliver general software updates, retrofit features and modified settings.
Order books will open in the first quarter of 2025, and customer deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
Source: Electrive
