From intercity electrification to industrial strategies: the Sustainable Bus Tour 2026 heads to Berlin (Bus2Bus) and Madrid (FIAA)

The Sustainable Bus Tour 2026 will take place in Berlin and Madrid within the frameworks of Bus2Bus and FIAA, marking the fifth edition of the international conference initiative promoted by our media platform. Iveco Bus and Otokar are confirmed as partners of the initiative, with additional partners and sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks.

After previous editions combining digital and in-person formats, the 2026 Tour will consist of two physical sessions: the first on 15th April 2026 at Bus2Bus in Berlin, and the second on 22–24 September 2026 at FIAA in Madrid (specific time slots will be communicated afterwards). The initiative aims to serve as a platform for discussion among operators, manufacturers, institutions and technology providers on the structural transformation of the bus and coach sector.

From city to intercity: scaling zero-emission transport

The first session in Berlin, titled “From city to intercity: the next step for zero emission bus transition”, will focus on the expansion of electrification beyond urban networks into the intercity segment . According to ACEA estimates, between 2025 and 2030 around 20,000 electric intercity buses and coaches are expected to enter the European market, alongside 48,000 urban buses, requiring approximately 30,000 dedicated charging points for long-distance operations .

Higher operating speeds, extended duty cycles and infrastructure constraints introduce new technical and financial parameters compared to urban deployment. The Berlin conference will address infrastructure planning, grid capacity, financing models and regulatory stability as key factors in scaling intercity zero-emission fleets.

Belin’s panel will take place on April 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Industrial strategies and partnerships in Madrid

The second session, scheduled at FIAA in Madrid, is titled “Building zero emission buses through partnerships. Platforms, investments, industrial strategies” . It will examine how the push towards zero emission technologies is reshaping the European manufacturing ecosystem, increasing reliance on specialised suppliers and accelerating the shift from pure vehicle manufacturing to integrated service and platform-based models.

Topics include supply chain localisation, OEM–supplier partnerships, lifecycle performance, total cost of ownership and the evolution toward turnkey and energy-integrated solutions.