Daimler Buses expands its chassis portfolio with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 hybrid, a new solution with a 48 V mild hybrid system developed to improve operational efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions in interurban, suburban, regional and school transport services.
Buses
The OC 500 hybrid positions itself as an optimized alternative, designed for operators who need to move forward in sustainability and efficiency without changing their operating model, without depending on charging infrastructure and without requiring additional training for drivers or workshop staff.
Lower consumption and emissions, without changing operations
The 48 V mild hybrid system assists the combustion engine at moments of higher energy demand, such as start-up, idling or initial acceleration, and recovers energy during braking. All of this is managed fully automatically, maintaining a driving experience identical to a conventional vehicle.
The result is a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, especially in services with frequent stops, one of the most common scenarios in interurban and regional transport.
A pragmatic solution for the operator
The new OC 500 hybrid does not require electrical infrastructure or specific tools, and maintains the robustness and reliability typical of current technology. This approach allows operators to improve total cost of ownership (TCO) immediately and realistically, without taking on operational risks or additional investments.
In addition, the chassis has the ECO label from the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT), an increasingly relevant factor for accessing subsidies, public support programs and regulatory advantages, as well as for achieving a better evaluation in public transport and school transport tenders.
Two configurations for different applications
The OC 500 hybrid range is available in two versions, aimed at different service profiles:
- OC 500 LE 1930 hybrid (Low Entry), especially suitable for interurban lines and concessions with high passenger turnover, where accessibility and configuration flexibility are key.
- OC 500 RF 1936 hybrid (Raised Floor), designed for interurban and regional services with a predominance of seated passengers, prioritizing comfort and efficiency on medium-distance routes.
Both versions are designed for different applications and services. They can be homologated in Class I, II or III depending on the model, LE or RF, the final vehicle configuration and its application.
Safety and service support
The entire Mercedes-Benz OC 500 range incorporates a high level of safety in accordance with the General Safety Regulation (GSR), including advanced driver assistance systems derived from the complete coach, which help increase protection for the driver, passengers and vulnerable road users.
The offer is completed by the support of the OMNIplus service ecosystem, which includes, among other services, remote monitoring for three years, as well as financing options from Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS).
Efficiency where it matters most
With the new Mercedes-Benz OC 500 hybrid, Daimler Buses offers operators a balanced and business-oriented solution: lower fuel consumption, lower emissions, high reliability and maximum operational flexibility, in a chassis designed to meet the current challenges of road passenger transport.
Production in Spain: industrial commitment and customer proximity
The complete Mercedes-Benz OC 500 chassis range is manufactured at the Daimler Buses production center in Sámano, in Castro Urdiales, a plant specialized exclusively in chassis manufacturing and recognized as a European center of competence in this field within the Daimler Buses group.
From Sámano, bus and coach chassis are developed and produced for different markets, meeting the highest standards of quality, industrial efficiency and reliability. The specialization of the plant allows a high level of adaptation to different applications and operator requirements.
With this factory in Spain, Daimler Buses strengthens its long-term industrial commitment to the Spanish market, creating value in terms of skilled employment, technical know-how and proximity to customers and bodybuilders. This approach translates into greater agility, product quality and responsiveness for the passenger transport sector.
Source: Viajeros
Original article (Spanish): LINK