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Germany to Set Up Hydrogen Fuel Stations

September 15, 2009 in Biz News, Future Cars, Hydrogen, emissions by kristen | 2 comments

Mercedes-Benz reported last week that several companies have partnered with the German government to set up a hydrogen infrastructure for electric cars with on-board fuel cells. The H2 Mobility initiative, as it’s called, will have a hydrogen fueling station network in place by 2011, they say.

Infrastructure has been a stumbling block for the clean-emissions hydrogen fuel vehicles. No one wants to buy a hydrogen-powered electric car if there’s no place to refuel it, but no one wants to install hydrogen fueling stations if there aren’t any cars to fill up. Germany has decided to end the stalemate by partnering with businesses like Daimler (Mercedes’ parent company) and Shell, plus the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology to expand the hydrogen fueling network by 2011, with further expansion and the introduction of consumer-ready hydrogen-powered EVs in Germany by 2015.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche with the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse F-CELL – image courtesy of Daimler.

Mercedes Plug-In Hybrid Gets Closer to Production

September 3, 2009 in Biz News, EVs, Future Cars, small cars by kristen | 1 comment

The Mercedes BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS inches ever closer to the real world, according to the company’s latest press release. The concept appeared at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show as the electric-only BlueZERO E-CELL; engineers have been working on an extended-range version ever since.

The E-CELL PLUS combines a bank of lithium ion batteries and a gasoline-powered generator to extend the car’s range to about 375 miles. It can travel about 60 miles on electric power alone, where the electric-only E-CELL can go about 120 miles before needing a recharge.

The company said that in addition to its range of electric vehicles, it will produce a small batch of fuel cell vehicles in 2009. A small batch of the battery-only vehicles will follow in 2010. No word on when any of these cars might hit showrooms, or how much they might cost.

Image of the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS courtesy of Daimler AG.

Mercedes-Benz Electric Super Car

July 21, 2009 in EVs, Future Cars, New Tech by kristen | No comments

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will build an electric car based on its SLS AMG super car, with electric motors at all four wheels replacing the V8 engine that would normally be under the hood.

Here are the specs:

  • 526 hp all together, about 40 less than the gasoline version
  • 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds
  • Top speed over 125 mph is expected
  • 110-mile range
  • 8-hour recharge

The car is expected to arrive on roads in 2013, hopefully with a shorter charging time. At least we do know it will have those striking gullwing doors.

Low Diesel Prices Mean More Diesel Car Sales

June 25, 2009 in Biodiesel, Consumer News, MPG, diesel by kristen | No comments

Remember when I said diesel prices were lower than gasoline for the first time in years? Remember when I wondered if that would change American diesel buying habits? Well, it has, apparently. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are both reporting increases in sales of their clean-diesel vehicles.

If you’re in the market for a clean diesel car, here are the 50-state diesels available right now, with their starting MSRP:

Each of these is available from the manufacturer as of today, and are eligible of a federal tax credit of about $1000. Check FuelEconomy.gov for details.

Image of a BMW diesel at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show by Kristen Hall-Geisler.

Daimler Takes a Stake in Tesla

May 28, 2009 in Biz News, EVs, Future Cars, small cars by kristen | 1 comment

Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler has acquired a 10% stake in California EV upstart Tesla Motors. The two companies have been working together to develop a battery pack for Daimler’s future electrified Smart car, as Tesla chair Elon Musk announced in Detroit earlier this year.

While Daimler is learning from Tesla’s lithium-ion know-how, including the development of battery packs and recharging systems, Tesla is taking advantage of the bigger, older company’s experience and supply chain to develop its own, supposedly less expensive Tesla Model S electric vehicle.

There are already 100 electric Smart cars testing in London. The results of this partnership with Tesla will produce 1,000 second-generation Smart EVs, which will be built at Smart HQ in France and used in pilot European programs.

And Mercedes fans, start saving up now. The company promises to introduce an electric M-B in 2010.

Image courtesy of Daimler AG.

Mercedes to Produce Hydrogen-Powered Cars, Smart EVs

May 20, 2009 in Biz News, EVs, Hydrogen, small cars by kristen | No comments

Mercedes announced that it will produce a small number of hydrogen-fuel call cars for real-world testing in Europe by the end of the year. The cars will be small, but not micro-sized like the company’s teeny Smart car.

Speaking of which, the electric-powered Smart cars that Mercedes promised will be in production by the end of 2009, too. Berlin will get to test them first, so hold on a little longer, EV enthusiasts, while the Germans work out the kinks.

Image of the Smart EV at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show by Kristen Hall-Geisler.

Mercedes Trainees Build Fuel Cell Roadster

April 13, 2009 in Biz News, Hydrogen, New Tech by kristen | No comments

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL

Dozens of junior-level Mercedes-Benz employees and students in Germany worked together for a year to create the F-CELL Roadster project, a fuel cell-powered open car. The project was designed to give the trainees hands-on experience with developing alternative-fuel vehicles.

The spoked wheels of the design project reference the earliest Benzes of the late 1800s, while the seats are thoroughly modern carbon fiber with hand-stitched leather upholstery. It’s got a joystick in place of a steering wheel (a hallmark of any “car of the future” destined to never see production) and the fuel-cell system in the rear. The F-CELL has a top speed of 15 mph, but a range of over 200 miles.

It would be a miracle if the F-CELL ever reached the market, as it was intended as an in-house learning experience, but it’s just these kinds of projects that are going to expand the availability and viability of alternative fuels in the near future.

The Straight Dope on Mercedes BlueTec Clean Diesel

November 12, 2008 in Consumer News, New Tech, diesel by kristen | 2 comments

Mercedes-Benz has gotten a lot of press recently about AdBlue, the additive that makes its new BlueTec clean diesel SUVs and wagons so clean. I called up Larkin Hill, a PR rep at Mercedes, and asked her to explain to me what this AdBlue and BlueTec stuff was all about.

“Twenty years ago, 80% of Mercedes sales were diesel,” said Hill. “But they had a reputation for being loud, slow, and sooty. The BlueTec diesels are quiet, fast, and clean. You can stand behind one in a white linen suit and not get dirty.” This, she said, is due to AdBlue, an exhaust treatment fluid used in all the BlueTec diesels to neutralize nitrous oxide emissions.

In order for the Mercedes BlueTec diesels to meet the U.S. Bin 5 emissions standard, the company had to guarantee that the customer would put AdBlue into the exhaust system. “You get many, many, many warnings,” said Hill. “The car gives you twenty chances. It counts down the number of starts you have left.” When you’re out of AdBlue and the countdown reaches zero, you can’t start the car without adding another quart.

The reservoir is easy to find and easy to fill, though, as it’s located in the spare tire well in the back. And you can go 10,000 miles of normal driving without worry. Most people will have their M-B dealer top off the AdBlue tank during regular maintenance. For those who do a lot of towing or want peace of mind, BlueTec owners can buy and carry extra quarts. It’s available at 1500 outlets, like Pep Boys.

Right now, there are three 2009 vehicles with BlueTec clean diesel: the ML320, the GL320, and the R320. Hill said the company plans to release an E320 sedan with BlueTec and AdBlue later this year. And yes, she said, AdBlue is indeed blue.

Ford Escape Hybrid Best Green SUV

October 9, 2008 in Consumer News, Hybrids, MPG, diesel by kristen | 1 comment

Ford Hybrid Escape at the 2008 Mudfest Competition

The Northwest Automotive Press Association has released the results, and the first-ever Best Green SUV Award went to the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. The field included two hybrids, a diesel, and an SUV with variable cylinder management technology.

SUVs in the green category were judged alongside “regular” SUVs and were scored on the same on-road and off-road handling capabilities, comfort, ergonomics, etc. In addition, the Green SUVs were evaluated on their fuel economy and emissions technologies and innovations.

It’s interesting to note that, because the Green SUVs were run over the exact same courses as the conventional SUVs, they won in other categories as well.

Best Family SUV

2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid

  • $30,000 – $50,000 price range as tested
  • Kid-friendly features
  • Winner: 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid

Best Luxury SUV

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec Diesel

  • Above $50,000 as tested
  • Advanced luxury features
  • Winner: Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec Diesel