Next-Generation Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid Debuts in June

9 May 2009

The new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid. Click to enlarge.

The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid bus will have its world premiere from 7-11 June at the UITP Congress in Vienna (the World Congress of the International Association of Public Transport). (Earlier post.) This fuel cell hybrid bus is the first representative of the new generation of fuel cell models from Daimler Buses.

Daimler said that the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is the next logical step on the path to zero-emission public transport which the company had already announced it would take, and thus represents an important element in the development of the mobility solutions of the future.

Daimler Buses has taken a linear approach to developing fuel cell technology: the process started in 1997 with the NEBUS research vehicle—the world’s first bus to be equipped with a fuel cell drive system—and has continued via the recently launched Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid with a diesel-electric hybrid drive. The latest development for 2009 is the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid.

Starting in the autumn, Mercedes-Benz Buses will subject this bus to testing in a large-scale fleet test in several European cities. This test will be conducted along the same lines as the successful CUTE test carried out by the European Union between 2003 and 2006. Since 2003, a total of 36 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses equipped with fuel cell drives have performed well in service with 12 public transport operators on three continents as part of the CUTE test, its HyFLEET:CUTE follow-up project and other related testing programs.

The buses have covered a combined total of more than two million kilometers in some 135,000 hours of operation.

The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid draws on the experience gained with the outstanding performance of the 36 fuel cell test buses. The enhanced fuel-cell system is complemented by an all-new drive system developed in synergy with the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid.

Shared components here include axles fitted with electric hub motors, lithium-ion batteries to store energy, and all electrically powered ancillary components. The Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid—a series-hybrid articulated bus—uses a 19.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack located on the roof and four 80 kW electric wheel hub motors on the center and rear axles of the vehicle, with total output of 320 kW. With regenerative braking, the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is able to achieve hydrogen savings of between 10-25%, depending on the traffic conditions and topography.

The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is based on the proven platform of the top-selling Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus and features fuel cells powered by hydrogen. Compared with previous fuel cell buses, the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid will consume much less hydrogen thanks to a hybrid drive with a sophisticated control unit. The model thus offers major benefits in terms of resource conservation and reduction of emissions associated with producing the required hydrogen.