First motor vehicle propulsion systems with hybrid solutions existed in the history of Daimler AG as long as some 100 years ago. After early attempts at alternative drive systems by Wilhelm Maybach, in 1907 the Austrian affiliate of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft introduced the Mercedes Mixte with electric motor and internal combustion engine, developed by Ferdinand Porsche. This drive system was successfully used in passenger cars, buses and fire-fighting vehicles – and even in a racing car. In 1969, the OE 302 hybrid bus marked a new beginning of research in this field. Since then, the corporate Research unit has set up more than 20 concept and research vehicles with hybrid drive systems in all vehicle categories, from the smart HyPer via the Mercedes-Benz S-Class BLUETEC HYBRID to the Atego.

The company is following a five-stage roadmap on the way to the automotive drive system of the future. Content of this roadmap: the consistent advancement of conventional gasoline and diesel engines through the use of new, environmentally compatible fuels and the development of alternative drive system concepts ready for series production. Hybrid technology plays a central part in this effort. Daimler AG sees hybrid drive technology as a bridge on the road to vehicle propulsion by a zero-emission fuel cell. Today, hybrid drives in concept and research vehicles already achieve fuel savings of between 15 and 25 percent in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).

Numerous other alternative drive solutions have been studied over the past years in corporate research labs. Some already have resulted in production vehicles like electric vans or natural-gas-powered cars. For an overview of the history of alternative propulsion systems from Mercedes-Benz please click here.