More than 250 customers from 15 countries experienced the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec® Hybrid articulated bus live for the first time over the past few days. Experts from European transport networks praised the 18-metre-long hybrid urban bus for its ability to drive completely emissions-free on partial routes, its quiet and practically shock-free drive system, its unique vehicle concept with four electrical wheel hub motors and the largest lithium-ion battery in any vehicle worldwide. This battery stores energy produced by the diesel generator and the energy recovered during braking.

This is how the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec® Hybrid reduces diesel consumption, which was already low, by up to 30 percent while also reducing CO2 emissions, which are a popular topic of discussion. The new hybrid bus was tested extensively in trial runs over the past few months. The vehicle also successfully passed several weeks of winter testing in the Arctic Circle under the most extreme operating conditions. The first vehicles were delivered to transport operators this year. Market mavens are expecting an annual potential demand of at least 300 hybrid buses in western Europe if the public authorities in Europe actively promote hybrid technology. These buses could drastically reduce diesel consumption, the release of CO2 and pollutant emissions in cities. Daimler already has 1700 hybrid buses from its Orion bus brand operating in North America, making it the world market leader for hybrid technology in commercial vehicles.