Mercedes-Benz Citaro G Hybrid: the first hybrid bus from the brand

Pollution produced by combustion engines is a worrying issue today, as it affects the environment and, consequently, our own lives. In an effort to solve this problem, the most advanced car manufacturers in the world are launching electric and hybrid products onto the market. But it is not only private vehicles that contribute to pollution; commercial vehicles do too. Mercedes has wanted to put the brakes on this situation and has therefore launched the new Citaro G Hybrid.

The Mercedes bus becomes a much more efficient and less polluting hybrid vehicle thanks to the combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor. In this way, not only will emissions be considerably reduced, but a lower consumption will also be achieved, which is essential for this type of heavy vehicle. This will mean considerable savings for companies that opt for the hybrid bus.

Furthermore, Mercedes states that the consumption declared by the new hybrid Citaro is 8.5% lower than that of the combustion version. Even so, a diesel engine is still needed so that the German bus can move with complete ease through German streets. But that is not all, since the new Mercedes bus incorporates advanced technology inside , which is reflected in the new system named MHS.

This acronym stands for “Mild Hybrid Storage” in English, whose function is to store energy so that it can be supplied to the electric motor when needed. The combustion engine also works as a generator and sends energy when the Citaro is stationary. Braking also contributes to this task. In this way, the bus’s electric motor always has “fuel”.

When the Citaro sets off again, the electric motor sends more torque to the diesel engine, in order to achieve greater thrust and lower fuel consumption. This process is what Mercedes has called the Support Phase. The electric motor is capable of delivering up to 200 Nm of additional torque, which is necessary for a vehicle as heavy as the Citaro.

For now, the Citaro G Hybrid will only operate on the streets of Germany, but we will not have to wait long to see them worldwide. This will also be possible thanks to the low maintenance required by electric motors, which is essential for a vehicle that will cover as many kilometres as the Citaro.