According to Herbert Kohler, head of Daimler’s E-Drive and Future Mobility unit, Daimler is moving quickly on hybrid technologies and will offer hybrid versions of its Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class and S-class vehicles in the United States and Europe within three years.  All this in an effort to meet tightening global fuel economy standards. “We have a leading position in the premium segment concerning alternative propulsion systems, and we will defend it,” Kohler said after a press event.

Another source at Daimler said the C-Class and E-Class hybrids will be launched in Europe before 2013 and the S-class plug-in hybrid will be launched in 2014, with the U.S. versions of the hybrid vehicles to follow six months later.

Currently Mercedes does not offer a plug-in version of its vehicles in the United States; instead, the Mercedes S400 is offered as a mild hybrid and the M-Class as a full hybrid.  To differentiate, a mild hybrid uses an electric motor and acts as a start/stop system, but the electric motor does not drive the vehicle by itself, whereas a full hybrid can be driven short distances using the electric motor.