What does charge up your bus business stand for?
OMNIplus CHARGE accompanies bus companies on their way to eMobility
The electrification of a bus fleet presents transport operators with various challenges. Numerous problems need to be solved, from energy supply and investment in vehicles and infrastructure to the selection of the right software. In discussion with Steffen Germ, CEO of Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, it becomes clear: OMNIplus CHARGE is the perfect companion for electromobility.
Since last autumn, Daimler Buses has been offering services relating to electromobility with Mercedes me CHARGE. What can you imagine?
As Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH, we have been advising transport companies for several years and actively accompanying them on the way to electromobility. Since last year, we have been marketing our product portfolio under our well-known service brand OMNIplus. OMNIplus CHARGE specialises in consulting, designing and building a tailor-made infrastructure for e-mobility - this includes the hydrogen infrastructure, for example for the eCitaro fuel cell. We are a strong European team of around 40 people, combining very different disciplines. We have experts from the bus industry, but also from the energy or construction industry. Our objective is to be able to offer a holistic portfolio for electric mobility from a single source.
“Our objective is to be able to offer a holistic portfolio for electric mobility from a single source.”
Steffen Germ, CEO of Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH
So Mercedes me CHARGE focuses on design, consulting and service for transport companies?
Yes, that’s right. That’s why it’s also a good idea that Mercedes-Benz CHARGE now operates under the OMNIplus brand umbrella. In addition to the classic services and OMNIplus ON, we are thus covering another, elementary area in the service offering.
What specific services do you offer transport companies?
Our offer ranges from individually configured electric buses to feasibility studies and the construction of the complete infrastructure for the depot - including the necessary construction measures, electrical installations, chargers, battery storage systems and the charging management system as well as the corresponding digital services. Our advantage is that we provide the bus companies with the entire eMobility ecosystem from a single source. Always tailored to your individual requirements.
“We take care of the planning of all necessary construction work for the power supply for the customer.”
Steffen Germ, CEO of Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH
So the service portfolio of OMNIplus CHARGE goes far beyond the installation of charging systems?
Absolutely. Of course, the design and body of the charging infrastructure is our core offering. In addition, we also accompany a bus company all the way to electromobility. For example, we ensure an efficient energy supply at the depot and take care of the planning of all necessary construction work for the power supply for the customer. Coordination and execution are then in the hands of a central project manager, the customer does not have to worry about anything. Or another example: we use a simulation model to determine the energy requirements on existing routes and thus optimise the bus lines for operation with electric buses. Our offering is constantly growing.
“For many customers, investments in the integration of the charging infrastructure are a major hurdle. As Daimler Buses, we are doing advance work here and also offer flexible solutions such as Charging-as-a-Service.”
Steffen Germ, CEO of Daimler Buses Solutions GmbH
Who is interested in the performance of Mercedes me CHARGE?
Our customers are private bus companies as well as large transport companies. We have the individual solutions and the implementation capacities in our team for the entrance to electromobility for enterprises of all sizes. And we are also continuing to drive forward the expansion of the public charging network for e-buses. For example, we are currently installing four public charging stations overlaid at Munich’s central bus station by the end of 2026.
You say that Daimler Buses wants to push forward with the expansion of the public charging infrastructure for electric buses. Does it need much more speed here?
From our point of view, it actually takes too long to establish a necessary public charging infrastructure. Our own charging stations, overlaid at the Munich Central Station or in a project in Cologne, are intended to provide an important impulse here. At ZOB Munich, eBuses can be charged exactly where they stop anyway. This public charging infrastructure also improves the conditions for our electric inter-city bus, the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro.
What many customers often ask: Is the performance of Mercedes me CHARGE linked to the acceptance of a Daimler Buses vehicle?
This is not mandatory. We offer our services independently of the procurement of the buses, but often a complete package of e-buses, charging infrastructure, structural measures, software and services is required. As a competent partner, we deliver everything from a single source.
