Sustainability is an important topic for Mercedes‑Benz and Setra: The buses from both leading brands comply with the strictest emission standards and in practice their emissions are often considerably lower than the maximum permitted levels. Not only the environment and society profit from low and in turn resource-conserving fuel consumption, but also the bus companies themselves. The independent jury for the international "busplaner" sustainability award acknowledged these efforts: The Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro and Citaro hybrid as well as the Setra TopClass S 531 DT double-decker bus had all been entered into the competition. All three won in their respective category – three nominations for the buses led to three victories.

"This success affirms our commitment to the development of environmentally friendly buses," explains Axel Stokinger, Head of the German sales organisation at Daimler Buses. He accepted the awards at the award ceremony on 18 March in Berlin. Mr Stokinger continues: "The perfected aerodynamics of the Setra double-decker bus minimises fuel consumption. The Citaro is a clear demonstration of our two-pillar strategy: We have worked intensely to develop the fully-electric and in turn emissions-free eCitaro whilst at the same time optimising the combustion engine on the Citaro hybrid."

The fully electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro brings electromobility for city buses to a whole new level. Using innovative components, available for the first time ever in the eCitaro, it achieves otherwise unheard of levels of energy efficiency thanks to its innovative thermal management and connectivity. With the introduction of the eCitaro, Daimler Buses has launched an innovation campaign for electromobility.

The Citaro hybrid is a prime example for the increase in efficiency of the combustion engine. The hybrid variant reduces the already favourable fuel consumption of the diesel engine and thus its CO₂ emissions by up to 8.5 percent. The Citaro hybrid is not listed as an independent member of the best-selling Citaro city bus family; instead the hybrid drive is special equipment. It is available for a large part of the model range, even for the Citaro NGT with its natural gas drive – and as a result the Citaro hybrid earns an exceptional position worldwide. The absence of complex technology in the hybrid module is intentional. As a result, not only fuel consumption and emissions are reduced – it is the hybrid drive that pays off. Equipped with the active braking assistance system Preventive Brake Assist and Sideguard Assist, the Citaro and the eCitaro offer assistance systems that are unique over the whole world and which effectively protect more vulnerable road users in particular.

The Setra TopClass S 531 DT double-decker sets many benchmarks in its category. Besides its fascinating looks, it impresses especially as a prime example of aerodynamics and fuel efficiency and offers the greatest levels of variability, comfort and safety. The impressive touring coach covers all types of operation required of touring and regular-service routes and, with the best values for aerodynamics, is on its way to achieving new consumption records in its segment. Its comprehensive safety equipment fitted as standard is also remarkable. Together with the Setra TopClass S 531 DT the assistance systems Active Brake Assist 4 and Sideguard Assist celebrated their world premiere in a bus.

Stuttgart / Zagreb / Hanover – Thanks to its economical and consistently practical drive concept the Citaro hybrid emerged a convincing winner in this year's Bus Euro test in Zagreb, sweeping aside competition from fully-electric rivals. In particular, the international jury of experts rated the vehicle ahead of the competition by some distance in the categories covering economy, innovation, quality and user-friendliness. Special attention was drawn to the fact that the new hybrid technology is offered with the choice of either a diesel or a petrol engine for all models across an extremely wide range of urban buses. With this technology the already exceptionally economical combustion engines from Mercedes-Benz benefit from a further significant increase in efficiency. 

Together with its new "intelligent eco" electro-hydraulic steering, the Citaro hybrid further reduces the fuel consumption of the Citaro, already famed for its efficiency, by up to 8.5 percent. The objective being pursued by the buses with the new hybrid technology is clear: minimal modifications to the basic vehicle combined with achieving maximum fuel efficiency. Added to which, the Citaro hybrid is light, reasonably priced, and unproblematic for drivers and workshops alike. 

"With the Citaro hybrid we are now enabling operators to meet high environmental standards and at the same time work extremely economically. We see our hybrid technology as the natural choice for transport companies who believe in low-emission vehicles," says Till Oberwörder, Head of Daimler Buses.

The basic way in which the Citaro hybrid works couldn't be simpler: when the bus is decelerating, the additional electric motor acts as an alternator and transforms braking energy into electric power. This power is stored in doublelayer capacitors, commonly known as supercaps, and can be used by the electric motor to assist the combustion engine, especially when moving off. The electric motor generates a maximum output of 14 kW and 220 Nm of peak torque. The battery comprises two modules which correspond to the existing recuperation modules and are mounted on the roof to save space. 

All in all, the technology behind the hybrid concept was a major factor in the jury's assessment. For example, the bus dispenses with a complex and therefore expensive high-voltage network, instead becoming the first commercial vehicle to come with a separate 48-volt power supply, similar to that found on hybrid passenger cars from Mercedes-Benz. As a result, the installation space needed is compact, there was no need to modify the interior and no passenger seating was lost. The additional weight is only 156 kilograms. Equipped with the standard equipment, the Citaro hybrid rigid bus with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 18 t can carry up to 105 passengers and the articulated version can carry 159. Furthermore, the 48-volt system is classed as low-voltage technology and can be handled without problem. The auxiliary assemblies remain unchanged and are driven conventionally. The maintenance intervals for the Citaro hybrid are also identical, at 60 000 km or once a year; the same applies to all maintenance points on the conventional powertrain.

Stuttgart / Munich - Europe's No. 1 high-deck touring coach is also the No. 1 in this year's IBC test, the International Bus & Coach Competition. Unveiled last year, the all-new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo won the renowned comparative test with a clear lead, scoring against famous competitors on the key criteria.

Victorious in five out of seven individual categories, the Tourismo performed excellently in the IBC test. Be it economy, safety, passenger comfort, body, passenger compartment, suspension or handling – on all these key criteria for touring coaches, the Tourismo was in the fast lane.

The high-decker with the star impressed the judges with the lowest constant consumption and highest payload, the best handling and the most impressive air conditioning, most solid build quality and most assistance systems. With a score of 1685 points, the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo achieved an outstanding result, putting over 100 points between itself and each of its rivals.

The editorial teams had selected three high-deck touring coaches in the popular two-axle configuration with a length of around 13 m – bus operators value this class due to its balanced mix of maximum economy and high comfort. It was only last year that Mercedes-Benz unveiled the latest Tourismo. Developed with a top priority on economy, safety and comfort, it has now convinced not only operators, drivers and passengers, but also experienced judges.

The high-decker is currently attracting attention with the as-standard introduction from 2019 of the Active Brake Assist 4 advanced emergency braking system with pedestrian detection and the launch of Sideguard Assist. Alongside many others, both assistance systems were installed in the test vehicle for the IBC test.

The International Bus & Coach Competition is organised by almost ten respected trade journals from around half a dozen European countries. The demanding test procedure on public roads and closed testing grounds includes fuel consumption drives with laden buses over a defined route, measurements of performance and braking as well as an inspection of ease of maintenance by neutral workshop experts.

The comparative test takes place annually in changing categories. Four years ago, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro was a convincing winner of the IBC test with urban buses.

Significantly lower fuel consumption with manageable additional costs – the Mercedes‑Benz Citaro hybrid is the hybrid bus that pays off. It was this feature that also impressed a jury of respected specialist publications from seven European countries, which awarded the Citaro Ü hybrid the Sustainable Bus Award 2019 for rural-service buses at the IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show. A host of criteria extending far beyond the topic of the environment played a role in making the selection: safety, comfort, noise emissions, recyclability of components and the general approach of the bus manufacturer to environmental friendliness all added up to a true sustainability prize. The special feature of the Citaro hybrid is that it combines environmental protection with economic efficiency to optimum effect. The hybrid component can be selected as an optional extra for a host of variants with diesel and gas engines and helps to reduce fuel consumption by up to 8.5 percent. Key components include an electric motor to support the combustion engine, primarily when moving off, high performance capacitors (supercaps) for short-term energy storage and innovative 48 V technology.

Stuttgart/Kortrijk, 24 October 2017. Daimler was honoured with five awards at the "Busworld" international trade fair in Kortrijk, Belgium (20 – 25 October 2017). The expert jury of the Busworld Awards, formerly European Coach & Bus Week (ECW), considered the two Tourismo M and Citaro hybrid buses by Mercedes-Benz for two awards each.

Daimler Buses can be delighted with two awards for the Citaro hybrid, which is being premièred at the largest bus trade fair in Europe, "Busworld Europe 2017". The vehicle, which, together with the also new electro-hydraulic steering reduces its fuel consumption by up to 8.5 percent, was awarded with the "Grand Award Bus" and "Safety Label". Worldwide, Daimler Buses offers the hybrid technology as special equipment for a broad range of city buses with diesel and gas engines.

If a lot of seats and a large luggage compartment capacity are required along with maximum efficiency with a chassis with just two axles then this is the time for the Tourismo M. With 12.9 m length the high-decker offers an extra row of seats compared to the 12.14 m Tourismo. In Kortrijk the classic coach, which is also ideal for use on long-distance routes, was awarded both with the "Design Label" and the "Safety Label".

Stuttgart / São Paulo: 17 May 2016. Daimler Buses has won the Frost & Sullivan "2016 Latin American Bus and Coach Chassis Price/Performance Value Leadership" award. The award, which is one of the most prestigious in the bus and coach industry worldwide, was presented on 12 May 2016 in the Brazilian megacity of São Paulo. Ricardo José Da Silva, Head of Daimler Buses Latin America, received the award at the prize-giving ceremony from David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan.

"We are very proud to have this honour bestowed upon us," says Ricardo José Da Silva. "We have been most impressed by Daimler Buses Latin America's strong performance in the areas of product portfolio, business development, operating result and – above all – sustained customer, service and growth orientation," said David Frigstad in his laudatory speech. "The company and its products have not just fulfilled the stringent criteria for the award of this prize, but they have surpassed the benchmark."