InnoTrans 2024 has just ended, and the event has once again proven to be a crucial platform for the future of mobility, with a special focus on the latest developments in public transport.
InnoTrans 2024, the world's largest trade fair for transport technology, broke several records during its 14th edition from 24 to 27 September 2024. The trade fair, which took place on the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds, occupied all exhibition halls and the entire outdoor and rail area. This year, InnoTrans offered the largest exhibition space since the event was founded in 1996.
According to Dirk Hoffmann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin, the number of visitors and the international diversity even exceeded the levels before the corona pandemic. “InnoTrans 2024 was a real record-breaking trade fair – both in terms of exhibition space and visitor numbers. This year, we welcomed around 170.000 visitors from 133 countries to the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds. We have succeeded in increasing the pre-corona visitor level and the international representation. InnoTrans has once again shown itself to be the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology and mobility,” says Hoffmann.
A striking feature of the 2024 edition was the increased internationality. Around 600 new exhibitors took part in the fair for the first time, coming from countries that had not been represented at the event until now, such as Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa. These newcomers brought their own innovations and showed how different regions worldwide are contributing to the development of transport technology.
One of the highlights of this edition was the Bus Display, which showcased the latest generation of buses from both international and emerging manufacturers. The event not only provided a glimpse into the future of buses and public transport, but also gave insight into the associated infrastructure, such as charging stations and the latest innovations in sustainable drive systems.
This year, several firsts were celebrated. For example, Chinese bus giant BYD took part in the Bus Display for the first time with three electric models, while traditional Hungarian brand Ikarus also made its debut. This participation underlines the diversity and international focus of the event. In addition to the presentation of new buses and charging solutions, several forums took place, such as the International Bus Forum and the Public Transport Forum, where experts discussed the future of mobility.
The Bus Display is a permanent fixture at InnoTrans and plays an important role in showcasing buses and innovative solutions. Visitors were not only able to view the latest models, but also to gain a unique experience thanks to the 500-metre-long circuit where demonstration drives were held. Manufacturers were given the opportunity to show their buses in action, which was a dynamic addition to the fair. From start-ups to established names, a wide range of companies presented their vehicles and products.
hydrogen bus
One of the standout participants was ARTHUR BUS GmbH, a relatively young company from Munich, which impressed with its hydrogen bus ARTHUR ZERO. This bus is designed for urban public transport and is known for its efficiency. The company claims that the ARTHUR ZERO is currently the most hydrogen-efficient bus on the market in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), making it an interesting option for cities that are committed to emission-free mobility.
BYD, China’s largest automaker, made its debut at InnoTrans with three electric buses: the BYD B12, B13 and B18. With an impressive range of 600 kilometers and innovative technology such as the self-developed blade battery chassis, these buses attracted a lot of attention. BYD has been a pioneer in the electric bus sector for years and has delivered more than 81.000 electric buses worldwide. This participation at InnoTrans underlines BYD’s ambitions to expand its footprint in Europe.
Patrick Oosterveld, Sales Director of Ebusco, was particularly positive about his company’s experience at InnoTrans 2024. “The show went very well for us. The great thing about this event is that you don’t just have a static presentation of the buses, you can actually drive them,” Oosterveld said. This interactive element of the show gave potential customers the chance to really experience the vehicles. “It gives the customer a sense of how the vehicle behaves during the ride and what sounds it produces. You can try that out for yourself here,” he added.
The Dutch company Ebusco was also present with its lightweight model, the Ebusco 3.0. With a weight of only 9950 kilograms and a range of up to 700 kilometers, this bus not only offers low operating costs, but also a long service life of 25 years. This makes the model attractive to transport companies looking for sustainable and cost-saving solutions. The bus, which is already operational in several European countries, was praised for its innovative design and efficiency. Ebusco, which focuses on developing sustainable electric buses, played a prominent role during the Bus Display in the Summer Garden. Visitors could see their buses live in action on a specially designed 500-meter long track.
RobotTUNER
Self-driving vehicle technology is in the spotlight, and that became clear this week at the international trade fair Innotrans in Berlin. There, the twelve-meter-long self-driving regional bus from Groningen was shown to the public for the first time. The bus, which will be extensively tested later this year, is a project by Qbuzz in collaboration with RobotTUNER, the province of Groningen and the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region.
Another notable first at the fair was the participation of Ikarus, a bus manufacturer from Hungary that is more than 125 years old. The company presented two electric buses: the Ikarus 120e and the Ikarus Midi bus, underlining their commitment to emission-free public transport. Together with Siemens, they also demonstrated advanced charging solutions, such as the innovative e-Line charging collectors.
In addition to the vehicles themselves, there was also attention for the associated infrastructure and technology. For example, Mont-Ele showed its latest charging systems for electric buses, while Ventura Systems demonstrated their innovative door systems, which improve both passenger safety and comfort. These systems can even be tested on the track, giving visitors a hands-on experience with the latest technologies.
future
The Bus Display at InnoTrans 2024 not only showcased the latest buses, but also gave a clear picture of where the future of public transport is heading: sustainable, emission-free mobility with innovative technologies that increase both efficiency and passenger comfort. With the participation of big names such as BYD and Ikarus, as well as emerging players such as ARTHUR BUS GmbH, this edition was a valuable platform for the industry to present the latest developments and network.
The next edition, the 15th InnoTrans, will take place from 22 to 25 September 2026 at the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds. As the trade fair continues to grow in popularity, this edition promises to once again be a platform for numerous innovations and world firsts in transport technology. InnoTrans 2026 is expected to once again raise the bar in terms of international cooperation and technological breakthroughs in the transport sector.
