Near-production prototype: The new Mercedes Benz eIntouro: Electric mobility for interurban and excursion routes

• Efficient LFP battery technology
• Central electric drive with 320 kW output
• New electronics architecture facilitates “over-the-air” updates
• Exterior and interior: an archetypal Intouro
• Coach-standard cockpit
• Latest assistance and safety systems
• Omniplus: digital services for greater fleet efficiency and safety
• Daimler Buses Solutions: turnkey eMobility ecosystems from a single source

Daimler Buses is presenting a near-production prototype of the all-electric Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro interurban bus for the first time at the 2024 eMobility Days in Berlin. The high-floor bus is based on the familiar diesel-powered Intouro, but is equipped with a battery-electric drive instead. As a result, Daimler Buses is now able to switch to electric mobility for classic interurban routes, school buses and shorter long-haul trips for the first time. Two lengths are available: the eIntouro with a length of 12.18 metres and the 13.09-metre eIntouro M. As such, seating variants from 50 to a maximum of 63 seats are covered. The new eIntouro will celebrate its world premiere next year at Busworld Europe. The vehicle will be available to order in the first quarter of 2025.

Efficient LFP battery technology

The new Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro is available with a choice of one or two battery packs, each with a capacity of 207 kWh. The maximum total capacity is 414 kWh. The first battery pack is always located in the space behind the front axle to ensure optimum weight distribution. The optional second battery is located in the former engine compartment at the rear. The batteries and many of the high-voltage components in the new eIntouro have already been successfully installed in the battery-electric Mercedes‑Benz eActros long-haul truck.

The batteries are based on lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP) and deliver an operating voltage of 800 volts. The LFP cell chemistry performs very well in terms of calendar ageing, which means that a service life of up to 15 years can be achieved in individual applications. In contrast to other battery cell technologies, more than 95 percent of the installed capacity can also be used in the case of LFP technology. This allows for longer ranges with the same installed battery capacity. When equipped with two battery packs, the eIntouro can drive up to 500 kilometres^[1] without recharging, depending on the driving style, topography and weather conditions.

The batteries can be charged at charging stations with CCS type 2 connectors with a charging capacity of up to 300 kW. Operations that already have eCitaro buses in their fleet can use the existing charging technology, provided that it has an output voltage of at least 900 V. Customers can select from four different positions for the charging sockets on the eIntouro: at the front or rear, or on the right or left behind the front axle. A maximum of two charging sockets can be installed on each vehicle.

Central electric drive with 320 kW output

Daimler Buses has combined tried-and-tested components for the drivetrain. The central Cetrax drive from ZF with a continuous output of 320 kW is used as the electric motor. The drive power is transferred to the Mercedes‑Benz RO 440 drive axle via a fully automatic three-speed transmission integrated into the drive unit. This configuration means that a high proportion of parts are shared with the conventional Intouro, thus enabling a high level of availability and cost-effectiveness in operation.

New electronics architecture facilitates “over-the-air” updates

With the Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro, Daimler Buses has become the first bus manufacturer in Europe to present a bus that is compatible with over-the-air updates. This term refers to software updates that are transmitted to the vehicle via mobile phone network, updating the system without the need for a workshop visit as was previously the case. The updates are controlled via the digital Omniplus On Portal. If an update is available, the fleet manager receives a message and can then release individual vehicles for the update. The desired time for the installation can also be selected in the portal. In any case, installation only takes place when the vehicle is stationary, the parking brake is applied and drive-ready state is switched off. No Internet connection is required during installation.

This innovative technology is made possible by the eIntouro’s new electronics architecture, which facilitates secure two-way communication and enables any updates to be transmitted via mobile phone connection. This means that the software in all of the vehicle’s control units can be kept up to date at all times without the vehicle needing to be brought to a workshop. This reduces the number of workshop visits and improves vehicle availability.

The update capability is not limited to necessary security updates. This technology also enables general software updates and changed settings, like those for the door control system, to be installed in a timely manner and without a great deal of effort. Over-the-air updates can even be used for the contactless activation of optional retrofit functions.

Exterior and interior: an archetypal Intouro

From the outside, there is very little to distinguish the eIntouro from the familiar Intouro models. Like these models, it features a practical and functional body design with a steeply projecting windscreen above the powerful front grille and headlight module that is a hallmark of the brand. The straight side walls are almost seamlessly smooth. The body is therefore easy to clean and can also be easily fitted with company lettering or advertising.

The passenger compartment of the eIntouro boasts a modular design. Its equipment – consisting of various seating options and luggage racks as well as a wide entrance with single-wing door at the front and a single or double-width entrance in the middle – covers a wide range of requirements, from a strictly cost-oriented interurban bus to a comfortable version for excursions and short trips. The 13-metre version can also be equipped with a water closet in front of the rear entrance. A wheelchair lift on the right-hand side is available as an option for both length variants.

Coach-standard cockpit

As is typical in all Mercedes‑Benz buses, the driver’s area of the eIntouro is ergonomically perfect and designed to focus on the driver. In addition, the high-quality cockpit reaches the standard of a fully fledged touring coach thanks to its pleasant feel and visual appeal. The direction of travel is selected as usual via the D-N-R setting on the steering column lever. The instruments designed for the all-electric drive correspond to the displays familiar from the eCitaro. A power meter replaces the rev counter and indicates the current power requirement or recuperation. The driver also receives information about the charge level of the batteries. They can also call up the range, power availability and a charge indicator via the central display.

Latest assistance and safety systems

The safety equipment in the new eIntouro includes a host of state-of-the-art assistance systems. The optional emergency braking assistant Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) can react to cyclists and people who are crossing the road, approaching the vehicle or walking in the vehicle’s lane with automatic emergency braking. Sideguard Assist 2 monitors not only the front passenger side, but also the driver’s side. At speeds above 30 km/h, Sideguard Assist 2 also assumes the role of a lane change assistant. It notifies the driver about an object on either the driver’s side or the front passenger side up to the maximum permitted speed. Frontguard Assist monitors the traffic area in front of the vehicle and can warn the driver of people or obstacles when pulling away. The eIntouro’s standard equipment package also includes the intelligent speed limit assistant Traffic Sign Assist, the Tyre Pressure Monitoring system (TPM), the Attention Assist system (AtAs), an interface for the use of alcohol testers in the driver’s workplace and a reversing camera. As an alternative to the reversing camera, companies can choose the optional 360° camera system.

Omniplus: services for greater fleet efficiency and safety

The Mercedes‑Benz eIntouro is available with the full range of Omniplus services to make the best possible use of the bus’s technological potential. These services include eBasic and ePremium eService contracts specially designed for electric buses, which offer different repair packages, in addition to maintenance of the vehicle and its high-voltage components. However, they also include the Omniplus On Uptime digital service, which has become an indispensable tool for many bus operators to improve the availability and economy of their fleet and which is becoming increasingly important in the course of transitioning to electric mobility.

Whether it’s the monitoring of an individual bus throughout every second of its operation or the comprehensive analysis of an entire fleet – the continuous flow of data makes it possible. The Omniplus On portal is the hub in which information on trip data or the current technical status of the bus– for example energy consumption, the state of charge or the condition of the batteries – is made available. For the new eIntouro, Remote Charge Control can also be added in the Omniplus On Portal; it is designed to relieve the load on charging infrastructure and protect batteries.

Customers with an existing fleet management system can use the Omniplus On data packages. These allow the data from the eIntouro to be integrated into third-party software via an interface. With the ITxPT TiGR data package, customers have the option of integrating the data from their eIntouro into their existing fleet management system via a harmonised interface with a uniform transmission protocol and thus obtaining a homogeneous database for the entire fleet. The TiGR interface meets the highest quality standards, and the entire communication path from the vehicle to the cloud is certified in accordance with the latest UN ECE R155 cyber security standard.

Daimler Buses Solutions: turnkey eMobility ecosystems from a single source

Combustion engine out, electric mobility in – the transformation isn’t that easy. If bus operators want to use electric buses successfully, they need to consider their electromobility system from a holistic perspective. This is why Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH specialises in designing and building electromobility infrastructure. In cooperation with the experts from Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, Daimler Buses can supply an entire eMobility ecosystem from a single source on request. The range extends from individually configured electric buses to software-supported feasibility studies through to all the electromobility and hydrogen infrastructure for the depot – including the necessary construction measures, electrical installations, charging stations, battery storage systems, charging management systems and other digital services.