Mercedes-Benz Replaces “HighTechReport” with New Publication TECHNICITY

Mercedes-Benz Magazine TECHNICITY is aimed at opinion leaders from the fields of politics, economics, finance and science

Daimler has published a new technology and innovation magazine, “TECHNICITY – Magazine for Innovation, Technology and Mobility,” as reinforcement of Daimler’s technology and innovation communications in corporate publishing. TECHNICITY replaces the Daimler technology magazine “HighTechReport” published until 2009.

TECHNICITY will combine important perspectives and trends from Daimler research and development locations with non-Daimler topics. Urban mobility solutions, technology and innovation processes within the company as well as creativity and innovation trends from the fields of science, research and development will be presented in a global context.

Combined topics from two worlds

The magazine title “TECHNICITY” is comprised of the topics from two worlds of relevance to the publication’s future international target audience: The first part of the name derives from the term “technology”, which refers to the technical character of an innovation. This sets a clear reference point to topics of innovation and technology inside and outside the company. The second part, “city”, highlights all aspects of increasing urbanization and mobility. TECHNICITY brings together the focal topics of these two worlds.

Topics covered in the first issue are as follows:

  • Title: E-City Berlin: A network in the German capital is shaping the future of electric mobility.
  • Car of the future: Why intelligent research vehicles are already having a major impact on the future of the automobile.
  • Digital world: Why digital development processes are fundamentally changing the way we live and work.
  • Mobility concepts: How major cities all over the world are reacting rapidly and efficiently to mobility bottlenecks.
  • Innovation processes: How networked creative processes are generating high-tech applications in innovation regions.
  • Innovation regions: Technologies and trends from innovation regions (Asia, North America and Europe) and major cities (Bangkok, London, Singapore, Austin).

Print-online strategy

As an innovative magazine, TECHNICITY also features its own ground-breaking website: The new online format sets out to establish an integrated print-online communication model aimed at international experts. An integral element of the technology and innovation magazine is a website in line with the “community” style. The site offers value added in the form of up-to-date, in-depth and interactive content relating to the topics covered in the printed magazine.

In future, the majority of magazine articles will initially be published on the Internet, suitably enhanced with photo galleries, videos and detailed extra content along with interactive applications. An international network of scientific journalists is currently researching the latest trends for this purpose – offering exciting insights into the growth regions and major cities of the world.

The new innovation and technology magazine “TECHNICITY” will appear two times a year with a circulation of 150,000 copies. Published in German and English, it is aimed principally at opinion leaders from the fields of politics, economics, the media, finance and science.

Facts & Figures:

  • Title: “TECHNICITY – Magazine for Innovation, Technology and Mobility”
  • Frequency of publication: Two times a year (April, October)
  • Scope: 100 pages
  • Language editions: German, English
  • Target groups: Opinion leaders from politics, economics, the media, finance and science
  • Lead publisher: DesignHochDrei (Stuttgart)
  • Website: http://daimler-technicity.com
  • Subscriptions: http://daimler-technicity.com/contact

“e-mobility Berlin” Delivers smart Solutions for Electric Mobility

RWE and Daimler start the second phase of their joint large-scale project "e-mobility Berlin" for sustainable electric mobility

The handover of the first smart fortwo electric drives to customers together with the official launch of the RWE electricity charging infrastructure introduces the next stage of electric mobility: As of today clean, intelligent and customer-friendly electric mobility is enabled by “e-mobility Berlin”. From public charging stations to RWE’s home charging stations – loading and paying for green electricity is now as easy as using a mobile phone. An intelligent charging management enabling a direct data exchange between the vehicle and the charging station forms the foundation for this. Customers receive a complete package containing the smart fortwo electric drive with intelligent charging management and a full service contract, an intelligent and fast RWE home charging station and free green electricity for the first 18 months. “e-mobility Berlin” makes electric mobility convenient, safe and manageable for every customer.

The first smart electric drives will be handed over in Berlin today. In line with a full service rental model the vehicles will be passed on to selected fleet, business and private customers. In the course of the project, the Berlin fleet will be completed by Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL vehicles. Daimler will provide a total of more than 100 electric vehicles with battery from smart and Mercedes-Benz for “e-mobility Berlin” and will also service and maintain them.

“Our pioneering mobility concept offers an integrated solution which combines electric cars that are absolutely suitable for everyday use with an adjusted charging infrastructure. The smart fortwo electric drive is worldwide the first electric vehicle equipped with an intelligent charging management and the latest lithium-ion technology. It combines driving pleasure with an emission-free range of 135 kilometers – more than enough for daily use in urban areas. From today this sustainable and customer-friendly electric automobile will be an integral part of Berlin’s street picture”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

RWE is providing the area-wide intelligent electricity charging infrastructure for “e-mobility Berlin” with around 500 electricity charging stations and is also responsible for the operation, supply of green electricity and central system control of the infrastructure. Dr. Jürgen Großmann, RWE CEO says “Only green electricity from renewable sources is being used for the “e-mobility Berlin” project. Thanks to our know-how as an electricity producer we bring climate protection to individual mobility through renewable energies. We are setting up a comprehensive system with an intelligent and user-friendly charging infrastructure that is suitable for quick everyday charging at home, work and in public areas. Our technology is already creating the basis for even more climate protection in future, especially the more efficient use of renewable energies.”

Rainer Brüderle, Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, affirms the federal government’s support for businesses’ climate protection efforts: “I have faith in the innovative strength of our industry and research institutions. To make sure Germany remains a leader in automotive technology in future, we need to work together across industries. This is the only way we will be able to solve the open questions of storage technology and infrastructure for electric mobility. The joint fleet project being undertaken by Daimler and RWE is an outstanding example of such cooperation. With substantial funding for research and development projects in the fields of transport, energy and information and communications technology, the federal government is supporting the development of market-ready products and hence raising Germany’s profile as a centre for innovation in these sectors. Starting in early 2010 the Joint Agency for Electric Mobility planned by the federal government will coordinate the implementation of the National Development Plan for Electric Mobility as central contact point for both businesses and the scientific community.”

Charging and paying: as easy as using a mobile phone

So electricity charging is even more convenient than filling up with petrol today. The preconditions are easy technical handling (“Plug & Charge”), the automatic exchange of information between the vehicle and the charging station during the charging process and a customer-friendly and safe billing system – as simple as for a mobile phone. In the framework of the “e-mobility Berlin” project customers conclude a contract for automotive electricity with RWE. The personal contract code (ID) is called up only once via the internet by the vehicle with the signing process familiar from online banking and saved in the RWE co-contractor billing system. When contact between the vehicle and the charging station has been established by the charging cable, the electronics on board the smart fortwo electric drive and the charging point enable all relevant information such as the identification data for the electricity contract to be exchanged with the electricity grid.

The charging process is only automatically activated when the personal ID is recognized. Among other things this enables a convenient, simple and – above all – secure billing at all times. Customers receive a single electricity bill from RWE regardless of where and from which charging station operator they get the electricity for their smart. This has the advantage for customers that they do not need to actively gain access, for example with a PIN or a credit card. At the same time data protection is guaranteed in all processes through the encryption and anonymisation of customer data. As a further function, drivers are able to monitor the status of the charging process and therefore the current range of their smart fortwo electric drive anywhere and at any time, for example via a smartphone such as an iPhone, a Blackberry or any PC with internet access. Drivers are also able to pre-air-condition their smart fortwo electric drive as long as their vehicle is being charged at home or at a charging station. No other car offers the comfortable options of pre-heating in winter and pre-cooling in summer.

The vehicle electronics also form the basis for features to be implemented in the smart fortwo electric drive and the A-Class E-CELL in future such as the possibility of actively controlling the charging process. For example, by retrieving the maximum available charging capacity and the corresponding electricity costs from the supplier whilst the vehicle is stationary. This enables the most economical charging strategy for the vehicle to be calculated. If the electric smart is parked for a longer period of time, the car can be recharged at times when there is a lower network load and therefore electricity is mostly available more cheaply, for example during the night.

With its various billing, control and monitoring functions the intelligent overall system of “vehicle and charging point” guarantees extremely customer-friendly electric mobility that is convenient and safe.

Full safety and individual online monitoring options via internet

Maximum safety for users is also guaranteed from a physical perspective: the plug and cable register whether charging point and vehicle connection are in perfect order and condition. Only then are the respective connections locked so that the electricity can flow. This means that there is practically no risk to the user through incorrect operation. There are no exposed electrical connections in the system and the cables are always de-energized when not in use. If the vehicle is connected to a charging station or home charging station customers have the individual possibilities to obtain information, to monitor or to control online. For example the current charging status can be called up online with a laptop or an internet-compatible mobile phone.

Pioneering solutions for a worldwide technology standard

In addition, further innovative technologies are used in the vehicle and the charging system. Together with 20 car manufacturers, suppliers and energy providers, RWE and Daimler have jointly developed a charging plug which shall be established as a standard throughout Europe. The target of all cooperation partners is to create a mandatory standard for charging interfaces for electric vehicles in Europe respectively worldwide. This global standardisation is an essential precondition for setting up a smoothly functioning as well as customer-friendly electricity charging infrastructure so that electric vehicles are accepted by customers and used across all vehicle classes in the long run. To standardise the communication interface between the vehicle and the charging station Daimler and RWE have also jointly developed a communication protocol that is available to third parties free of charge on the internet to enable them to develop their own products – in line with the open source idea. This should ensure that the communication protocol is constantly developed further – like the Unix operating system in the computer world – and not affected by industrial property rights.

Daimler – driving force for electric mobility that is innovative and suitable for everyday use

Within the initiative “e-mobility Berlin” Daimler is the first European car manufacturer to bring battery-driven electric vehicles that are suitable for everyday use to market in appreciable numbers. The smart fortwo electric drives to be applied in the Berlin project are part of an initial series of 1,000 vehicles. Production of these vehicles started at smart’s Hambach plant in mid-November. In the course of the next year the vehicles will take to the roads in a total of eight countries. In addition to Germany, smart fortwo electric drives will be handed over to customers in Italy, Spain, England, France and Switzerland. The market launch in the USA and Canada will start in the second half of 2010. Dr. Zetsche says “About ten years ago smart reinvented urban mobility. The second generation of our smart fortwo electric drive is the next milestone in the compact smart fortwo’s career which has been “green” right from the start. Volume production will start in 2012 and then the electric smart will be available to anyone interested.”

The electric drive of the intelligent two-seater convinces not only by being environmentally compatible and suitable for everyday use – but also by being fun to drive. The second generation surpasses its predecessor which has been successfully tested in London since 2007 in every respect, starting with the high range. With capacity of 16.5 kWh the highly efficient lithium-ion battery enables the vehicle to travel 135 kilometers – 30 percent more than before. The battery capacity can be charged from around 30 percent to around 80 percent in just three to four hours – that equates a distance of more than 100 kilometers. If a public charging station or the RWE home charging station is not available, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at a normal household socket. The smart makes the emission-free electric drive an ideal alternative for urban mobility. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear and provides good acceleration with 120 Newton meters of torque immediately available from the start. Thanks to the no-shift electric drive it also guarantees high agility. The smart developers also attached great importance to the safety concept. The driver and passenger are seated above the impact zone and the battery is located between the side members, cross members and the two axles where it is also extremely well protected. This means that the full interior space is retained in the compact 2.7 meter smart.

RWE – pacemaker for an intelligent charging infrastructure

RWE is establishing and operating the charging infrastructure for “e-mobility Berlin”. 500 charging points are being successively set up in urban areas of Berlin. Parallel to this RWE is erecting publicly accessible charging stations in all large cities and metropolitan regions in Germany, for example on public roads, in APCOA multi-storey car parks and in front of all large ADAC offices. By the end of 2010 customers will find the first RWE automotive electricity charging stations in all large German cities. In addition, together with partners from public services, RWE is driving the comprehensive expansion of a charging infrastructure forward. RWE’s goal is flexible “refuelling” wherever cars are parked anyway – at home, work or on a shopping trip. This is how electric driving will become suitable for everyday use.

The charging stations for public operation and the RWE home charging stations are completely new developments. RWE attached great importance to safety, an attractive design and maximum user-friendliness. The central system control is also new. In future, it will enable even more efficient use of electricity from renewable energy sources and will compensate demand peaks in the grid – in line with the principle “Greater protection of the environment through innovation!”, as Jürgen Großmann says.

The RWE charging stations already deliver tomorrow’s technology today. They enable fast charging and have an assured charging capacity of 22 kW at RWE home charging stations and 44 kW at public charging stations. Compared with this, a normal household socket supplies a maximum of 3.7 kW.

Convenient, low cost and transparent electricity charging

With a consumption of just 12 kWh per 100 kilometers the smart fortwo electric drive represents the most economical and environmentally friendly way of driving a car in urban areas. An exemplary solution for driving locally emission-free into the future. Environmental zones with entry restrictions are increasingly being set up in many cities, from which electric cars with no emissions are exempt. In addition to possible state subsidies, for example the tax relief that buyers of electric cars are already entitled to in various European countries, this is a further way of reducing running costs. Furthermore, the energy costs are lower compared with fossil fuels. Within “e-mobility Berlin”, the green electricity from RWE is free for the first 18 months.

The First electric smart handed over to customers in Berlin

The compact two-seater is the first emission-free vehicle in the world with state-of-the-art lithium-ion technology

No emissions, yet pure driving pleasure: The first smart fortwo electric drive were handed over to customers in Berlin today. The compact two-seater is the first emission-free vehicle in the world with state-of-the-art lithium-ion technology and an intelligent charging management system on board. This makes the smart fortwo electric drive the first environmentally and customer-friendly electric vehicle. In order that, smart has once again demonstrated its innovation power and redefines urban mobility.

The very first drivers of the electric smart will be Rolf Bauer (artist and owner of a film dubbing studio) and Lutz Tamaschke (owner of a dental technology company). Both have sworn by the compact two-seater for years. “I’ve always been a fan of smart and am proud to be able to set a new trend once again by driving the electric smart. Thanks to the smart fortwo electric drive, I can make my own contribution to preserving the environment,” comments Rolf Bauer. With the smart fortwo electric drive, these two men now own a vehicle that is perfectly suited to urban mobility and offers driving pleasure, while being locally emission-free at the same time. “I allow myself and my car a rest for the night, so that we can both recharge our batteries. After a few hours sleep, we’re both good to go,” says Lutz Tamaschke enthusiastically. The first two vehicles were handed over today in Berlin by Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, and Harald Schuff, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Sales and Marketing Organization.

“Environmental compatibility and latest functionalities have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then, its innovative concept has combined pioneering technology with individual, urban mobility. The smart fortwo electric drive is just as convincing as its siblings with conventional drive when it comes to suitability for everyday use, safety and driving pleasure. In terms of environmental compatibility it sets a new benchmark with its emission-free electric drive. In addition, with just 12 kwH consumption and its purely electric drive system, it is the most economical and environmentally-friendly way of driving,” stated Dr. Thomas Weber.

The electric smart will be delivered to selected fleet, business and private customers around the world as part of various “e-mobility” projects. These customers will receive a complete service package for their vehicle thanks to a so-called “full-service rental model”. “Beside state-of-the-art vehicle technology, we also want to provide our customers the best service possible – for us, this is an integral part of the concept of groundbreaking mobility,” commented Harald Schuff.

Key objective of these projects is to evaluate customer behaviour and specific support services. In addition to Germany, the electric smart will also be made available to customers in Italy, Spain, England, France, Switzerland, as well as the USA and Canada.

The concept

Thanks to its innovative vehicle concept, the intelligent two-seater combines sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual, urban mobility. Its unique design has led it to quickly become an automotive lifestyle icon, which today is quite at home on the streets of trendsetting cities. And the new smart fortwo electric drive is still a smart fortwo without any compromises in terms of safety, comfort and space. A 30 kW electric motor operates in the rear of the smart fortwo electric drive, which ensures good acceleration as soon as the car is started thanks to 120 Nm torque. When fully charged, the highly-efficient lithium-ion battery guarantees a range of 135 kilometers thanks to its 16.5 kwH capacity – more than enough for city traffic. In order to charge the battery if required, the smart can either be hooked up to a public charging station, a wall box in the garage or simply to any standard household socket.

Intelligent charging management: charging and paying, as easy as using a mobile phone

As the world’s first electric car, the smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with an intelligent charging management system. The on-board electronics allow for the permanent exchange of information with the grid. As such, electricity billing, for example, can be arranged in a very convenient, simple and secure way. Irrespective of where and from whom the smart fortwo electric drive has obtained electricity, the customer will only receive one electricity bill from his own energy supplier. He can also check the charging status and therefore the current range of his electric smart in any place and at any time, by using a smartphone, for example, or other internet interfaces. As the heating and air-conditioning of the vehicle are also controlled by the power electronics unit, drivers of the smart fortwo electric drive can pre-aircondition their car as soon as the vehicle is connected to the grid supply – no other car offers this convenient option of pre-heating the car in winter and pre-cooling it in summer.

The electronics of the vehicle also form the basis for future applications, such as active management of the charging process. As the electronics can retrieve the maximum available charging capacity as well as the corresponding electricity costs when the vehicle is hooked up, it can calculate in which period of time recharging would be the most cost-effective. If the electric smart is parked for a longer time, charging can be carried out at times with lower electricity network load, for example.

On-board economy as standard

Depending on the respective electricity contract partner, around two up to three Euro are incurred in operating costs for every 100 kilometres driven in the smart fortwo electric drive. In addition, more and more governments and city authorities around the world are introducing regulations to promote emission-free driving and are setting up low-emission zones, which will also lead to cost benefits.

smart solutions for electric mobility

With the smart fortwo electric drive, smart is continuing its success story as the founder of the intelligent city vehicle. The new electric smart has redefined urban mobility by focusing on a purely emission-free way of driving. As such, the brand is not only demonstrating its role as a trendsetter, but also its technological innovation power: the smart fortwo electric drive is the ideal solution for locally emission-free driving of the future.

Smart Examining Potential of an Electric ForTwo in the United States

Daimler announced that at the end of 2009 the company will begin production of an electric smart fortwo

Up until now, much of I’ve written about the smart fortwo has been relatively objective, due to the fact that I personally haven’t been in the market for one of the little models. Today that changes, however, as a family member is considering the purchase of a new fortwo, and it’s with rather mixed emotions that I write this article.

A few days ago at the start of the Detroit Auto Show, Daimler announced that at the end of 2009 the company will begin production of an electric smart fortwo, and they are “exploring” opportunities for the United States market. They then took the opportunity to detail at length the various projects currently underway in which electric fortwo models are in operation, such as the previously detailed “e-mobility Berlin.” But going back to what I said originally, with a family member considering a new fortwo, American consumers have to ask: what the hell is taking so long?

Daimler is “exploring opportunities for the United States market?” What specifically does that mean? Does that mean we’ll get an electric smart fortwo by 2010, or does it mean we’ll get some scaled back project where 100 or so fortwo ed’s will be tested on U.S. soil? To be honest, I don’t really care what it means. What I do care about is why the current U.S. smart fortwo lineup consists of one engine variant that averages 40 mpg. An electric smart fortwo? How about a diesel smart fortwo that averages 60-70 mpg. That’s what we really want. And yet, a single smart fortwo in the U.S. is what exists, while the Toyota Prius – a model that’s both larger and more practical – outperforms the smart by roughly 10 mpg.

Do I want an elecric fortwo in the United States? Absolutely. But Daimler, quit stringing us along offering us small glimpses of what the future may hold; bring a diesel smart to the U.S. in the interim; and please, give us some incentive not to buy a Prius, because right now, you’re not doing so great.

But enough of my views on the subject. To read more of Daimler’s plans for the electric smart fortwo, keep reading for the official press release.