Companies can obtain favorable contracts if at least 20% of their fleets are operated on gas, as hybrids or as electric buses. Restrictions on the use of gas vehicles in non-adapted underground bus depots have prompted operators to select hybrid technology.

The 51 buses will be put in service by seven operators on behalf of

Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid, which holds responsibility for public transport in the Madrid Region. The first operator will be Alsa (Nat-Ex), followed by Samar, Avanza (ADO) and DBlas (Arriva). The total order encompasses 34 12.7-meter 4x2 buses and 17 14.8-meter 6x2*4 buses.

The new Class II specification Scania Citywide can be operated at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). The hybrid powertrain includes the Scania 9-liter engine and offers 320 hp (239 kW) with SCR-only technology that is compatible with up to 100% biodiesel and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

On the Citywide buses, the hybrid unit, comprising an electric machine (motor and generator) and automatic clutch, is located between the engine and gearbox. The electric machine is rated at 150 kW and 1,050 N·m (774 lb-ft).

A total of 1.2 kWh of energy storage is provided by a lithium-ion battery integrated in the roof structure at the front of the bus and is housed in a neatly styled bulb together with a DC/DC voltage converter and a cooling unit. The use of a Scania hybrid system together with a DC/DC converter, stop-start function and eco-roll provides the fuel savings.

Scania is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications. Scania is also leading provider of industrial and marine engines.