LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN (dpa-AFX) - Daimler Buses intends to significantly expand its European service network in the coming years. Up to 200 million euros will be invested, as announced by Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, in Leinfelden-Echterdingen. The capital is earmarked for new sites as well as the modernization of existing facilities. "A bus is a tool of the trade. Downtime is costly."

Daimler Buses is evolving into a provider of service ecosystems, allowing companies to focus entirely on their core operations, Oberwörder added. The subsidiary of commercial vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck recently announced plans to install its own charging stations for electric buses. The focus is on high-traffic tourist locations across Europe, such as bus parking lots at theme parks, castles, or in city centers. The first sites are planned for Cologne and Munich. These fast-charging stations will be accessible regardless of the bus brand. Planning, construction, and operation will be handled by a group subsidiary.

Expansion of charging infrastructure for e-buses

Simultaneously, Daimler Buses will henceforth install its own charging stations directly at bus companies' depots. The company is thus becoming a charging park operator at customer sites. Against this backdrop, the bus manufacturer also intends to establish its own dedicated team for charging station maintenance. The rollout will begin in Germany before being gradually expanded to other European countries.

The company has offered an electric city bus variant since 2018. A further model for intercity routes and excursion traffic will follow starting in 2026. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer plans to include electrically powered coaches in its lineup. For bus operators to utilize the company's products, the corresponding infrastructure must be in place.

Last year, Daimler Truck's bus division sold approximately 27,000 units, a two percent increase over the previous year. The division employs 18,000 people worldwide, around 8,000 of whom are based in Germany./ols/DP/nas