What a difference a year can make! A year ago, Truck & Bus Builder attended the “E-Bus Test” in the German city of Bonn, organised yearly by the German magazine Omnibus Spiegel. It is a fantastic opportunity for European journalists to ride on and test drive the latest electric buses, some of which have yet to launch in the market. In this regard, the 2025 edition of the e-bus test was no different. However, the outlook for the electric bus market in Europe is less certain now than it was even just twelve months ago. A representative of Stadtwerke Bonn, the operator of Bonn’s urban transport system which hosted the e-bus test at its depot, told attendees at the event that it is no longer looking for incentives to purchase electric buses from the European Union. Those dried up a while ago, and the city of Dortmund – to give just one example – has gone back to purchasing diesel buses. There is not a great deal of hope either that the new government in Germany will announce further support for electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Daimler Buses and Sinos have been collaborating since 2022, with Sinos providing its proprietary software to support Daimler’s fleet electrification efforts. This acquisition formalises that relationship, enabling Daimler Buses to offer its customers customised, long-term digital solutions for electric fleet operations.

The first four units were handed over to Asti Servizi Pubblici S.p.A. (ASP S.p.A.) in Asti, Italy.

This increases Daimler’s European aftermarket network leading to greater vehicle uptime and therefore profitability for operators.

The near-series production prototype was presented at eMobility Days in Berlin earlier this month. The orderbook is now open with series production set for 2026.

This collaboration enables bus fleet operators to access and manage vehicle data without the need for additional hardware. This integration supports both electric and ICE-powered buses, enhancing fleet optimisation.

With a passenger capacity of 84, this electric bus is more compact and is designed for tight urban spaces while offering emission-free transportation. Available in two or three-door configurations, the bus retains the features of the standard (12m) eCitaro (but is 1.5 metres shorter), including the electric drivetrain and customisable battery configurations, which provide flexibility for various city transit needs.

Daimler Buses and BMZ are set to co-develop new generation (NMC4) e-bus batteries to be equipped in Daimler Buses. Improvements in cell chemistry, life cycle and energy density should result in longer range and battery longevity.  

The European e-bus market gathered in Bonn, Germany to test drive several OEM’s new electric bus (some articulated) offerings. T&BB was in attendance as we gathered at the Stadtwerke Bonn bus depot to begin comparison testing.

Daimler Buses has set itself a range of ambitious targets for 2030, including achieving an adjusted return on sales of nine percent by the end of the decade and eight percent by as early as 2025 (2023: adjusted return on sales of 4.7%). Overall, the business segment is set to become more lean and therefore profitable in order to shoulder the investment into electrification.

The company announced plans to electrify the HTM bus depot in the Hague, Netherlands. Construction has begun, with the depot expected to be up and running by Q3 2024. The supply agreement includes the chargers, installation, maintenance,  charging management software as well as the delivery of 95 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city buses.

Improving the eCitaro’s environmental footprint will further contribute to Daimler Buses' environmental and sustainability goals as well as improve its ESG score.