Four decades of hybrid experience

The new Citaro G BlueTEC Hybrid continues a tradition and uses the knowledge of alternative drive systems for buses that Daimler has gained over almost 40 years. In 1969, Mercedes-Benz presented the world's first hybrid bus – the OE 302. It was followed by the OE 305 and the “duo buses” OE 305 GTD and its successor OE 405 GTD. Mercedes-Benz delivered over 200 of the models to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, alone. Around 50 O 405 GTD buses were in service in Europe. Even today, some are still in use in Esslingen near Stuttgart. The 0 405 NÜH, a low-floor rural service bus with wheel hub drive, a diesel engine and traction batteries, as well as the diesel-electric powered Mercedes-Benz Cito, which was in series production from 1999 to 2003, were further steps along the path to the new Citaro BlueTEC Hybrid.