The vehicles showcased will cover the line routes 41, 50, 75 and 247, and their driving range on the electric mode is 45 minutes, just the time spent in the LEZ. Mayor Botella explained that buses will continue powered by natural gas during the rest of their journeys. For the first time in Europe in connection with this type of vehicles, the hybrid buses combine electric technology with no petrol or diesel, as usual, but with CNG, which is a much cleaner conventional fuel.

In addition, vehicle emissions emitted when powered by natural gas are also very low. These buses have a smaller engine than standard ones, "allowing them to save almost 30% of fuel consumption in comparison with buses using compressed natural gas only," Botella added.

The money invested in the 23 hybrid vehicles reaches 7.9 million euros. Within this year and 2014, the City plans to replace 235 buses from the EMT of Madrid’s fleet with new ones fueled by CNG. In particular, the Mayor explained that 100 brand new NGVs will be acquired in 2012. "The aim is to meet Air Quality Plan, measure 15 goal, which is that 100% of the EMT fleet serving the (area locally known as) almendra central are clean-fuel vehicles," noted the leader.

Source: City of Madrid.