At ZeroMission, we’ve long said that the shift to zero-emission mobility won’t succeed without the infrastructure to match. Daimler Buses’ announcement that it will begin installing its own public charging stations for electric buses and coaches across Europe from 2026 is a significant moment in that journey.

The initiative, beginning with a pilot in Cologne in cooperation with NRW.Energy4Climate and the City of Cologne, will see four public fast-charging stations installed at the Kuhweg bus parking lot. While modest in number, the symbolism is powerful: one of the world’s largest bus manufacturers is stepping directly into the infrastructure space to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric buses and coaches.

Why This Matters for the EV Industry

The electrification of urban bus fleets is well underway across Europe, supported by subsidies, air quality mandates, and growing public acceptance. But the intercity and coach sector has remained a difficult frontier. Longer routes, limited downtime, and scarce public charging infrastructure have made operators hesitant to commit at scale.

By developing its own public charging network, Daimler Buses is tackling the “chicken-and-egg” dilemma head-on: without charging, operators won’t invest in vehicles; without vehicles, operators won’t invest in charging. Daimler’s move not only provides certainty for early adopters but also puts competitive pressure on energy providers, municipalities, and private charging operators to accelerate deployment.

The eIntouro and the Road Ahead

Daimler will showcase its first battery-electric intercity bus, the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro, at Busworld Europe in Brussels. With a range of up to 500 km using LFP battery technology, the eIntouro is designed for short to medium intercity travel, exactly the segment that stands to benefit most from this first wave of public charging stations.

Long-distance coaches are next in line. Daimler has confirmed its roadmap to feature battery-electric coaches by 2030, with fuel cell coaches to follow. For fleets, this roadmap signals a clear timeline: begin planning today for shorter intercity zero-emission routes, while preparing infrastructure and operations for long-distance electrification within the decade.

A Catalyst for Wider Change

Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, summed it up: “The future of the bus is electric. However, building the necessary public charging infrastructure is taking too long. We want to give an important impulse with our charging stations.”

From ZeroMission’s vantage point, this “impulse” goes well beyond buses. Shared, high-power public charging designed for heavy-duty vehicles will inevitably benefit trucks, municipal fleets, and even emergency services. Much like the recent announcement of shared charging at Stagecoach’s Nuneaton depot, Daimler’s move shows how strategic investments in charging can ripple across multiple fleet segments.

ZeroMission’s View

Electrification isn’t just about vehicles, it’s about building ecosystems. Daimler stepping into charging is proof that OEMs now see infrastructure as integral to their success. For fleet operators, the message is clear: the tools, vehicles, and soon the charging networks are aligning. Those who begin preparing their operations today will be ready to take advantage of this next wave of zero-emission opportunity.

At ZeroMission, we help fleets bridge that gap, integrating vehicles, chargers, and data into a unified operational view. Daimler’s announcement reinforces what we already know: the era of the electric coach is coming faster than many expected. And it won’t just change how people travel between cities, it will reshape the wider landscape of zero-emission transport across Europe.

Reach out to our expert team at zeromission