With the first battery-electric van to be introduced ex factory by any automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter in drive technology for light commercial vehicles. Thanks to its emission-free drive system, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is ideally suitable for inner-city operations and for particularly environmentally sensitive areas. The Vito E-CELL operates with no emissions and almost silently, and imposes no restrictions on the operator in terms of load capacity and payload. Production of a small series of 100 Vito E-CELL vans has already commenced this year, and a further 2000 units are planned from 2011.

Quiet, emission-free driving in environmentally sensitive areas

Deliveries to inner-city areas and pedestrian precincts, operations in areas with rigorous access restrictions, in-company transport in production shops, delivery access via underground car parks – the quiet, emission-free Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL with its purely battery-electric drive system is the perfect answer to the question of delivery operations in environmentally sensitive areas. Moreover, the Vito E-CELL is not only able to carry out its transport assignments in areas with high exhaust pollution, but also where there are noise restrictions protecting e.g. health resorts or in residential areas with night-time driving bans.

In response to the growing environmental burden in the densely populated areas of Europe and other regions of the world, the relevant authorities are increasingly introducing vehicle access restrictions in the form of environmental zones based on emissions or with time constraints. Emission-free vehicles with electric drive are usually exempted. Accordingly the Vito E-CELL is eminently suitable for environmentally sensitive areas, both in commercial and public service operations, and in many areas of the service sector including e.g. parcel and postal deliveries, maintenance work and for other service providers.

There are also numerous incentive schemes for the purchase of emission-free vehicles. These are available in many countries and take widely different forms, ranging from direct purchasing subsidies to significant reductions in toll charges or vehicle taxes and exemption from access restrictions.

The Vito E-CELL is also considerably less expensive to operate. A comparison between the current diesel price and the cost of electrical power shows a factor of four to seven. This means that for the same driving distance, a Vito powered by an internal combustion engine incurs four to seven times the costs of a Vito E-CELL recharged overnight with low-priced off-peak power.

In densely populated areas the future belongs to electric drive

Experts are convinced that in highly populated areas with dense infrastructures, where exhaust and noise pollution levels are high, the future belongs to electrically powered vehicles. Additional incentives include a sense of responsibility on the part of businesses and not least the public relations effect of “clean” drive systems.

Another motivating factor for the development of vehicles with electric drive is the conservation of finite resources such as oil, as well as the political will for greater independence where energy supplies are concerned.

As a pioneer in automobile development and production, Mercedes-Benz has the stated aim of safeguarding and shaping the mobility of the future on a sustainable basis with innovative technologies. The focus is on ecologically justifiable drive technologies such as those collectively termed BlueEFFICIENCY at Mercedes-Benz. The clear objective is emission-free driving, and Mercedes-Benz Vans has come another step closer to this goal with the Vito E-CELL.

All good things come in threes: vans with diesel, gas and battery- electric drive

The Vito E-CELL rounds off the wide range of environmentally compatible vans bearing the Mercedes star to form an ecological trio catering for practically all conceivable operations from specialized short-range to extreme long-distance transport. The lineup has continuously further developed and now almost perfected internal combustion engine systems, natural gas and LPG drive systems, and now purely electric drive.

Mercedes-Benz benefits from a wealth of experience

The Vito E-CELL is based on the wealth of experience in the field of electric drive systems that Mercedes-Benz has accumulated over the decades. As early as 1972 Mercedes-Benz developed its first electric van, the LE 306, which was soon followed by a first large-scale trial with the Mercedes-Benz 307 E. Further experimental vehicles followed with the Mercedes-Benz 308 E and the electrically powered Sprinter, and these are still in customer operations under real conditions today, for example on the North Sea island of Heligoland.

The next step to series production was however always foiled by inadequate battery technology. Apart from insufficient long-term durability, this limited both the payload and operating range to the extent that professional operation in larger numbers was not a viable proposition.

The way is now being cleared by modern lithium-ion batteries with a high energy density, supported by intelligent charging strategies and innovative driving strategies that were not possible in the past. The company is driving the development of new battery systems ahead at full speed, by conducting research and cooperating with partners. The Vito E-CELL will benefit from this when the impending series production commences.

Vito E-CELL: no restrictions in load capacity and payload

With its operating range of around 130 km, the Vito E-CELL meets average customer requirements for a daily van mileage of approx. 50-80 km with a considerable safety margin. At the same time the van’s load compartment is usable with no restrictions whatever. With a payload of around 900 kg depending on equipment specifications, the Vito E-CELL is in every respect a fully-fledged van. Thanks to a top speed of 80 km/h it is also suitable for the short inter-urban stretches that frequently occur in densely populated areas and suburbs.

Externally it is only the decor of the Vito E-CELL that distinguishes it from the familiar appearance of the conventionally powered Vito, as the body is completely unmodified. Even the charging socket has found its place behind the flap usually concealing the fuel filler pipe in the lower section of the B-pillar on the left side of the vehicle. The ground clearance and angle of approach/departure are also practically unchanged compared to the Vito with an internal combustion engine. The Vito E-CELL is therefore equally suitable for facilities with steep ramps and approaches.

Powerful electric motor with high drive torque

In place of the usual four and six-cylinder engines plus peripheral units of the Vito, the engine cover of the Vito E-CELL conceals the electric motor and its ancillary systems. The electric motor, a permanent synchronous unit, develops a continuous output of 60 kW and a peak output of 70 kW. Maximum torque is 280 Nm.

As the full torque is inherently available right from the start in electric motors, the Vito E-CELL delivers dynamic performance at the familiar, high level of modern diesel engines. In view of the typical operating profile for the Vito E-CELL, and in the interests of maximising the operating range of the batteries, the van’s top speed is limited to 80 km/h.

Power is transferred to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. This efficient unit was likewise developed specifically for the Vito E-CELL.

Vito E-CELL: the only Vito with front-wheel drive

To save installation space for the batteries, and in contrast to the other models in the Vito series, the vehicle has front-wheel drive. With the exception of a few suspension components adopted from the Vito 4×4, the front-wheel drive system was specially developed for the Vito E-CELL.

In addition to the electric motor, other components such as the power electronics, transformer and the mains charging unit are accommodated beneath the engine cover. The 12 V onboard network was also completely newly developed.

High-capacity lithium-ion drive batteries

The batteries are housed under the load compartment floor, where the propshaft and fuel tank are usually located in the Vito. The batteries are modern lithium-ion units with a high performance and load capacity, a high energy density and a nominal voltage of 360 volts. The total capacity of the batteries is 36 kWh, of which 32 kWh are available to power the vehicle. This proportion of around 90 percent is an outstandingly high figure compared to other electrically powered vehicles.

The battery pack of the Vito E-CELL consists of 16 modules with a total of 192 cells. Each of these cells is monitored by a battery management system. To avoid unnecessary power losses and the risk of damage caused by unauthorised persons when the vehicle is parked, a safety system (“Watchdog”) deactivates the high-voltage network when not in use.

Water-cooled electrical components

The batteries, electric motor, converter and other electrical components of the drive system are water-cooled. Unlike an internal combustion engine, an electric motor does not reach its greatest efficiency at around 100 degrees Celsius, but at approx. 30 degrees Celsius. To ensure pleasant conditions for the driver during the colder months of the year despite these comparatively low temperatures, the Vito E-CELL is equipped with a heater booster. This is connected to the high-voltage network and the standard heating circuit in the instrument panel.

Full battery at the charging station after six hours at most

The batteries are charged at charging stations provided to the pilot customers by the two energy providers EnBW and Vattenfall. These companies are participating in the customer trials as cooperation partners in the Berlin (Vattenfall) and Stuttgart (EnBW) regions. The charging stations are installed on the business premises of the fleets involved. The charging socket of the Vito E-CELL is connected to the station using a standard seven-pin charging cable.

The batteries of the Vito E-CELL are charged at 380/400 volt mains. The onboard chargers have an output of 6.1 kW. The charging time depends on the charge status of the batteries, and takes a maximum of six hours if the batteries are fully discharged.

Using an additional charging cable with a conventional domestic power plug, the Vito E-CELL can also be charged from the 230 volt mains if required. This may become necessary if the van is not at the charging station provided when left overnight. In this case the charging time is doubled, however.

Intelligent charging technologies lower CO2 emissions and costs

The design of the Vito E-CELL incorporates intelligent charging technology to reduce both CO2 emissions and costs. The necessary charging intervals are defined with the customer depending on the van’s operating profile.

The Vito E-CELL features a Smart Charge Communication Unit (SCCU) as standard, making intelligently controlled charging possible. This ensures that within the defined period, the van is charged precisely when the energy providers supply “green” electrical power at off-peak, overnight rates. The result is a further, drastic reduction in CO2 emissions within the overall energy balance of the Vito E-CELL (“Well to Wheel”), quite apart from the vehicle’s zero-emission performance during actual operation.

Moreover, at the multifunction steering wheel and in the instrument cluster, the charging units can be individually set to charge at times when not only ecologically generated, but also low-cost electrical power is available. This can also be done centrally on a PC by the scheduler. The SCCU also allows parallel charging of several vehicles in a fleet, without overloading the mains network.

Apart from this, the ability to charge the batteries at the company’s own charging station or power sockets opens up intriguing perspectives: no more time-consuming trips to the filling-station, and if tours are cleverly planned neither the drivers nor fleet management need to worry about energy supplies for the vehicles.

Schedulers can control Vito E-CELL assignments according to charge status

Vehicle availability can also be calculated depending on the charge status of the batteries. A scheduler is able to call up the charge status and therefore the available operating range of the Vito E-CELL on his computer screen, and precisely determine whether a particular van is able to carry out an additional assignment at short notice.

All these intelligent control possibilities protect the environment while optimising customer benefits individually in widely differing businesses and operating conditions. At the same time these complex controls reduce loads on the batteries as far as possible, prolonging their operating life.

Recuperation: braking energy converted into electrical power

In the interests of maximising the operating range of the Vito E-CELL, its batteries are also charged by energy recuperation while on the move, i.e. by converting braking energy into electrical power. Recuperation not only takes place when operating the brakes, but also on the overrun and when reducing speed. All this is in interaction with the new ESP® system.

Based on the long-wheelbase Vito

The Vito E-CELL is based on the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Vito with a standard roof. The long wheelbase of 3200 mm provides the necessary underbody space for the traction batteries. With a permissible gross vehicle weight of 3050 kg, the approx. 900 kg payload of the Vito E-CELL is surprisingly high.

This large transport capacity is firstly due to the relatively compact and therefore light lithium-ion battery, which has a high energy density compared to conventional accumulators. Secondly, it is not least due to intelligent integration of the electric drive system into the bodyshell.

The Vito E-CELL is available with both left and right-hand drive.

Extensive and practically oriented standard equipment

The equipment level of the Vito E-CELL has in no way suffered from the efforts to achieve the highest possible payload. In addition to the heater booster, all 100 Vito E-CELL vans have an extensive range of standard equipment plus a heatable luxury seat for the driver, a multifunction steering wheel, heatable and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, a two-seater bench for the co-driver, two sliding doors, a tailgate and the “CARGO” equipment package.

A reversing camera with a monitor in the cab’s COMAND system and the reverse warning device ensure that when manoeuvring at slow speed, the driver is able to recognise obstacles and also quickly notice pedestrians who have not heard the quiet Vito E-CELL approaching.

Active and passive safety at the highest level

The Vito E-CELL has the same, exemplary level of safety as all Vito models with an internal combustion engine. In the event of a collision the batteries are protected by a crash element. When the airbag control unit is triggered, the high-voltage technology is automatically deactivated. The Vito E-CELL has already impressively demonstrated its high safety standard in several crash tests. And should a Vito E-CELL be involved in an accident, the emergency services have special recovery guidelines available to them.

Active safety is also at the acknowledged, high level found in every Vito with an internal combustion engine. Like all other Vito models, the Vito E-CELL features a fully-fledged Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with all the familiar functions, plus a driver airbag and double co-driver airbag.

Mercedes-Benz has ensured a high level of operating safety with extensive trials. To this end, more than a dozen Vito E-CELL vans have undergone extended test drives both on enclosed test tracks and on the roads. Whether in the icy conditions of Scandinavia or the heat of Spain – the Vito E-CELL has already demonstrated its high everyday practicality during the trial phase.

The Vito E-CELL is produced on the same line as the conventional Vito

In contrast to other electrically powered vans, Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to produce the Vito E-CELL on the same lines, together with all the other Vito models, in its Vitoria plant. This further demonstrates that the Vito E-CELL is by no means an experimental vehicle or a prototype, but rather a van on its way to series production.

In view of the completely different drive configuration including a front-wheel drive module, the battery pack under the load compartment floor and the omission of many components, numerous changes and special training for all the personnel involved were necessary in production.

100 Vito E-CELL vans with fleet operators in two cities

Mercedes-Benz will deliver 100 Vito E-CELL vans to customers between August and December this year. Half each will be taken into operation in Berlin and Stuttgart, and further units will be used in the Basque region of Spain early next year, i.e. on the homeground of the Vito E-CELL. The main areas of operation are therefore concentrated on densely populated areas. These not only differ in size but also in topographical terms, ensuring different operating conditions and therefore additional findings.

The customers concerned are predominantly fleet operators. Both the fleet managers and drivers are being intensively trained in the control and operation of the Vito E-CELL, and carefully familiarized with its special features. This also extends to separate operating instructions for the Vito E-CELL.

The usual high quality of service thanks to well-trained personnel

Both in Berlin and Stuttgart, two workshop partners will be responsible for servicing the Vito E-CELL. Their personnel are undergoing thorough theoretical and practical training as a multi-stage process. Service specialists will also be on hand during the start-up phase in case unforeseen problems occur. The European emergency call center operated by Mercedes-Benz in Maastricht is also able to answer queries.

Mercedes-Benz is ensuring the customary, high quality of service processing for the Vito E-CELL. The van absolves the standardised workshop processes, and is e.g. diagnosed using the existing diagnostic systems. This further demonstrates the practically-oriented configuration of the Vito E-CELL with a view to series production.

Innovative business model: monthly user charge rather than purchase price

The customer trials for the Vito E-CELL are scheduled for four years and roughly 80,000 km per vehicle, after which the 100 vans will be returned to Mercedes-Benz. For this reason the customers are not purchasing their vehicles, but rather renting and financing them by paying a monthly user charge which also includes all the servicing for the Vito E-CELL. Ideally the 100 Vito E-CELL vans will cover a total of around eight million kilometres in roughly one dozen fleets during the customer trials – which will provide an unrivalled wealth of experience for the further development of electric drive systems in light commercial vehicles.

Financial support from the federal government

The Vito E-CELL project is being supported from the public purse in various ways. Within the support period, Vito E-CELL customers are able to use the van at no charge for several months. The financial resources are being provided by the German federal government as part of its Economic Support Package II, in which the Federal Ministry of the Environment and Nature Conservation is supporting the development and industrialisation of the Vito E-CELL. This applies to the production and testing of experimental vehicles, as well as the 50 vans for the customer trials in Berlin.

While large fleet operators are the main concern in Berlin, the focus of the customer trials to be held in parallel in Stuttgart is on both tradesmen and fleets. In this case the Federal Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development is supporting customer operations in the Stuttgart pilot region for electro-mobility.

In Spain the Basque government is assisting with the construction of the special production facilities for the Vito E-CELL.

In parallel with the practical trials, Mercedes-Benz will evaluate data such as route profiles, operating ranges and other parameters in order to tailor electrically powered vehicles even more precisely to customer requirements.

Next step: series production of the Vito E-CELL starting soon

Mercedes-Benz will have built the small series of 100 vans at the Vitoria plant by the late autumn of this year. The next steps are already scheduled: a further 2000 units are already planned from 2011.

Last week we brought you the first look at the all new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell and now Mercedes has released a new video of the electric beast on the Atlanterhavsveien (also known as the Atlantic Road).  The video is nearly ten minutes long and could be one of the quietest supercar videos ever.

Despite being battery powered, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell only just fails to match the performance of its sibling that is fitted with a 6.3-litre V8 engine.  With the single-speed transmission, the SLS AMG E-Cell does not go through gear changes and acceleration surges which will make the driver feel as if this is one of the fastest cars on the road.

In case you missed our previous post, the E-Cell features a lithium-ion polymer battery pack and electric motors which produce 392 kW (526 bhp / 533 PS) and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) of torque. That is enough to propel the SLS AMG E-Cell from 0-62 mph in 4.0 seconds, compared to 3.8 seconds in the standard SLS.

Unique to the SLS AMG E-Cell is the new extended front apron, an extendable front splitter, a wider grille, LED headlights, and 19″ front and 20″ rear wheels. Inside is a radically redesigned center console that boasts a ten-inch touch screen infotainment system, capable of operating audio, climate, and navigation functions while also monitoring the flow of power from the four electric motors.  If all of this is not enough to get you excited about the new Mercedes E-Cell, you also have the “AMG lumilectric magno paintwork”.

According to Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, the SLS AMG is “set to become one of the most coveted sports cars of our time”.

We’ve known about the all-electric Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell for quite some time now, as Mercedes detailed the model last July, but new specs, photos and video have all emerged demonstrating in greater depth what we can expect from the forthcoming electric supercar.  The biggest question – performance – is said to be nearly that of the traditional SLS AMG, with with total output coming in at 526 horsepower and 649-pound-feet of torque thanks to the E-Cell’s four electric motors.  That’s enough to propel the SLS AMG E-Cell from 0-62 mph in 4.0 seconds, compared to 3.8 seconds in the standard SLS.

Structurally, the SLS AMG E-Cell remains identical to that of the current SLS AMG, with no modifications made to the model’s aluminum spaceframe.  The suspension, however, is a different story, as Mercedes engineers were forced to modify the suspension to accommodate the motors up front.  As a result, the SLS E-Cell employs an independent multilink suspension with pushrod damper struts, whereas the non-electric SLS employs a double wishbone suspension setup.  According to Mercedes, the two model’s handling should remain nearly identical.  Providing stopping power, the SLS AMG E-Cell will come standard with the current SLS AMG’s optional ceramic brakes.  In addition to helping the SLS E-Cell regenerate its battery charge during braking, they also provide ample stopping power, thanks to 18.5 inch rotors up front and 14.2 inch rotors in the rear, while still coming in 40 percent lighter than their non ceramic counterparts.

Of course, as with any electric vehicles, maintaining consistent heating and cooling is an integral part in the engineering of the SLS E-Cell.  Helping maintain consistent temps in a variety of operating conditions, low temperature circuits cool as necessary, as does the air conditioning in extremely warm climates.  In cold conditions, an electric heater brings the battery up to the correct operating temperature.

Other unique attributes of the SLS AMG E-Cell:  first, there’s a new extended front apron featuring an extendable front splitter.  In combination with the rear spoiler (that extends downward over 75 mph), air travels more quickly under the vehicle, reaching the more angled diffuser (possible due to the lack of exhaust) and thus creating more downforce.  Inside, the driver can control the front splitter thanks to buttons on the new AMG Drive Unit, which also houses a start button, rear spoiler control and new park, reverse, and drive buttons.  Another notable highlight of the new SLS E-Cell is the radically redesigned center console, which boasts a ten-inch touch screen infotainment system, capable of operating audio, climate, and navigation functions while also monitoring the flow of power from the four electric motors.  And last but not least, who can miss the “AMG lumilectric magno” paintwork?  I would have settled for a somewhat more subdued option, but for a prototype, you may as well have fun with it.

At this point, the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell is still in testing stages, meaning we still have some time to wait before the model enters production.  When it does, it will likely be built in limited numbers, at least until consumers demonstrate they’re willing to forego gas in the high performance market.  We’ll keep you posted as new details of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell are released; in the meantime, you can check out photos and video of the model immediately below.

The smart fortwo electric drive is coming to the U.S. and Canada this fall after a successful launch in European cities. The electrically powered smart fortwo has been rolling off the production line since November 2009 – and due to the huge demand the initial production volume has been increased from 1000 to 1500 vehicles. The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is neatly accommodated between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for very good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available.

The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. The fully charged battery has sufficient power to cover approximately 135 kilometres in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle, making it ideal for urban use. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for mobility with zero local emissions in urban areas. The first of the new smart fortwo electric drive vehicles were handed over to customers in Berlin at the end of 2009, and the environmentally friendly pioneer will now demonstrate its suitability for everyday use in further cities in Europe, North America and Asia. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available to anyone interested in almost 40 smart markets.

Marc Langenbrinck, responsible for brand management at smart says “In 1998 smart revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle concept. Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and redefining zero-emission urban mobility. We are the first manufacturer to launch a series-produced electric vehicle. Daimler is spearheading electric mobility with the smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption anyway.”

Environmental friendliness and state-of-the-art functionality 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 sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and it brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful, modern and yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive, which started rolling off the production line in November 2009, is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck says “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with no compromises.”

Electric drive factored in from the very first concept

The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety, agility, comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models. The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.

Powerful drive

A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 – 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial said “You can beat anything at the lights”. The maximum speed of the smart fortwo electric drive has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable maximum speed for the city.

Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is required. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine’s direction of rotation changes. “Fantastic and easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go” was how experienced users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.

The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery developed by Tesla Motors Inc. with electrical energy of 16.5 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket. A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 – 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. At an average speed of 25 – 30 km/h that is normal in city traffic the smart fortwo electric drive can drive for around four to five hours continuously before it needs to be recharged. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.

Generation differences

Electronics optimise the battery status and power consumption

Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. This battery management system constantly monitors voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving up long hills at constant peak power (kickdown) – the electronics reduce the power output. However, this is barely noticeable and it rules out the risk of battery overload.

The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacity display. The vehicle’s power electronics supply the vehicle’s electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.

Extensive equipment

The new second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with high quality equipment. As well as air conditioning with automatic temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includes smart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy. Furthermore, all new second generation smart fortwo electric drives have green painted alloy wheels, green mirror caps, green contrast components and a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil. The words “electric drive” on the rear and in the mirror triangle also draw attention to the vehicle’s special status.

Very low costs

There are also numerous factors in different countries that make electric mobility attractive for customers. Tax relief and other government subsidies play an important role. For example, the state of Monaco offers tax relief of up to €9,000 to electric car owners. Other countries have also set up funding programmes for sustainable mobility. France grants a “super environment incentive” of €5000 for every vehicle emitting less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In Great Britain there is a bonus of up to ₤5000 and in Belgium of €4540. In Denmark such cars are exempt from the extremely high registration tax and there are lots of further examples in Europe. In the USA there is a federal tax benefit of up to $7500 plus additional benefits depending on the state or city. China and Japan have announced subsidies of €6,500 and €11,000 respectively.

The maintenance costs are considerably lower than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor and other components of the electric drive are maintenance-free.

smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA

Since the end of 2009 the second generation smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to selected customers. Leases are offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles were handed over to customers in December within the framework of the “e-mobility Berlin” project. Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin, Daimler is creating ideal conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions. This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest. But as mentioned, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at any household safety socket with a 16 amp fuse (standard in Germany and other countries).

Further new generation smart fortwo electric drive vehicles will take to the roads of Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa, London and the Midlands, Madrid, Zurich, Portugal, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands during the first half of 2010. In the autumn of 2010 the smart fortwo electric drive will then also be launched in cities in the USA and Canada, and from 2011 in some Asian countries. There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This third generation will be fitted with a new lithium-ion battery which Daimler is developing to production maturity in cooperation with Evonik. The lithium-ion battery currently used comes from Tesla and represents state-of-the-art technology. However, further progress is anticipated. The main differences between the two batteries lie in the structural design. The Tesla battery consists of lots of cylinder-shaped cells. The Daimler battery will be made up of fewer but larger plate units. This will first and foremost enable a greater energy density to be achieved (with greater energy content for a higher range) and an even longer life.

With the smart fortwo electric drive the brand is underlining its pioneering role on the road to attractive individual mobility with no local emissions in cities and urban areas. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars says “All in all we believe that the outlook for electric mobility is good. Whilst our competitors are still presenting electric show cars, smart brought production models that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads last year. This once again demonstrates our technical expertise and responsibility.”

BYD Company Limited and Daimler AG today signed a contract creating a 50:50 research and technology joint venture called “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd,” that will develop an electric vehicle for China.

BYD and Daimler will invest RMB 600 million to use as registered capital for the Joint venture. The new generation of electric vehicles developed by the joint venture will capitalize on Daimler’s know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety as well as BYD’s excellence in battery technology and e-drive systems. The vehicle will be marketed under a new brand jointly created and owned by Daimler and BYD.

Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD Company Limited: “Together with Daimler we are making excellent progress identifying opportunities to utilize the strengths of both companies to create a new brand of electric cars for China. This is a unique and exciting initiative and together we are pushing hard to bring this new electric vehicle to market as soon as possible.”

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG: “Our new joint venture is well positioned to make the most of the vast potential of electric mobility in China. We are fortunate to have excellent joint venture partners in China and the establishment of this research and technology center with BYD adds another dimension to our growing presence in this important market.”

Chairman Wang and Dr. Zetsche signed the joint venture contract today in Beijing. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on March 1. Engineers, designers and other executives from both companies established working teams after the signing of the MOU to begin working on the vehicle concept. The business license for the new joint venture is subject to relevant government approval.

Daimler is a leader in sustainable mobility and in developing automotive architectures for zero-emissions driving. The company recently launched the smart fortwo electric drive and this year will introduce two Mercedes-Benz electric cars: the B-Class F-CELL with fuel cell technology as well as the battery electric A-Class E-CELL.

BYD is China’s leading manufacturer in developing advanced battery technology, a field it has invested in since 1995. The company has enjoyed rapid growth for five years after entering the automotive sector in 2003. It is the fastest growing Chinese automotive manufacturer. BYD introduced its F3DM dual-mode hybrid electric vehicle to the world in December 2008 and started direct sales to individual customers in March 2010. The company recently launched the e6, a pure electric vehicle and established itself as the first manufacturer in China to commercialize taxi business with its e6.

The smart fortwo is part of the roadscape of modern cities and plays a role in shaping their change. New technologies and environmental framework conditions influence the future of urban areas and the way we live in cities. The car manufacturer smart is taking up this subject and inviting the exchange of ideas and dialogue on “The future of the city” in six European cities. A temporary exhibition platform is being set up – “smart urban stage” – where future-oriented projects will be exhibited. In the next twelve months the “smart urban stage” will visit the cities of Berlin, Rome, Zurich, Paris, Madrid and London.

“What will the future be like in urban areas and how will we move around? These questions have always driven the smart brand. With the “smart urban stage” we are bringing leading thinkers from relevant areas together to discuss visions of urban life with them”, says Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director of the smart brand and Head of Sales & Marketing smart.

The starting signal will be given for the “smart urban stage” in Berlin. From 8th May to 13th June 2010 ten national projects from the fields of society, design, architecture, media, science and mobility will be presented in specially constructed temporary premises with an innovative architecture concept at Oranienburger Straße 59-63. The works shown are concerned with future-oriented and sustainable ideas relating to the future of urban life. They aim to provide answers to the question of how people living in urban areas can bring more community and sustainability into their everyday lives. The exhibits will be curated by experts and leading thinkers from these fields.

The importance of the projects is reflected in the “smart future minds award”. The car brand will award the future prize with €10,000 to the most innovative project at each of the six “smart urban stage” stations. The national winners from the six cities will also take part in the international final. In 2011 the overall winner will receive a smart fortwo electric drive.

In addition to the exhibition, smart is the first car manufacturer to offer a personal introduction to the subject of electric mobility. Those interested can experience mobility of the future in theory and practice and test drive the smart fortwo electric drive for themselves.

This makes the smart fortwo electric drive one of the main players on the “smart urban stage”. With its zero-emission drive it is already redefining urban mobility. smart has been producing the electric variant of the two-seater car since the end of 2009 and the vehicles are being delivered to the first customers in a total of eight countries in Europe and North America. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available from dealers as alternative alongside the petrol and diesel models.

experiencing electric mobility of the future

As part of the international “smart urban stage” exhibition series and in tune with the brand itself, smart is offering an unconventional and personal introduction to the mobility of the future. With the smart electric drive experience, interested individuals can experience the theory and practise of electric mobility for the first time. Personal test drives in a smart fortwo electric drive will be available from 8th May until 13th June 2010 from 12 noon until 8 p.m. each day at Oranienburger Straße 59-63 in Berlin. Through to 13th June 2010 smart offers people an opportunity to experience urban mobility of the future as part of a unique customer-oriented campaign. The backdrop is the market launch of the smart fortwo electric drive, available for sale to everyone beginning in 2012.

Interested individuals are offered a personal presentation of information about the history of electric drives and the special characteristics of the electric motor. Following this, anyone in possession of a driving licence will have an opportunity to try out driving on electric current for themselves in the smart fortwo electric drive. Register online beginning 29th April 2010 at www.smart-urban-stage.com or directly on the premises.

The “smart urban stage” is being held through to mid-2011 in six European cities – Berlin, Rome, Zurich, Paris, Madrid and London.

smart fortwo electric drive: The new generation smart with electric drive

Sustainable mobility and easy everyday use are declared aims of the new smart fortwo electric drive which has been rolling off the production line at smart’s factory in Hambach, France, since mid-November 2009. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric engine is stored in the rear. This provides for good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available. The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. A full battery charge is sufficient for a range of around 135 kilometres – more than enough for city traffic. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for mobility with zero local emissions in urban areas. The first models of the new smart fortwo electric drive were handed over to customers in Berlin on 17 December 2009. Further cities in Europe and the USA will follow, allowing the environmentally friendly trendsetter to demonstrate its suitability for everyday use. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available to anyone interested.

Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director smart brand and Head of Sales & Marketing smart, says “In 1998 smart revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle concept.” Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and redefining zero-emission urban mobility. “We are the first manufacturer to launch a series-produced electric vehicle. Daimler is spearheading electric mobility with the smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption anyway.”

Environmental friendliness and state-of-the-art functionality 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 sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful and modern yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon that shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive, which started rolling off the production line in mid November 2009, is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e.: a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck says “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with cult character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to individually tailored driving fun with no compromises.”

Electric drive factored in from the very first concept

The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety, agility, comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models. The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.

Powerful drive

A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and responds directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is immediately available. This results in a considerable amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 – 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial said “You can beat anything at the lights”. The maximum speed of the smart fortwo electric drive has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable maximum speed for the city.

Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is required. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine’s direction of rotation changes. “Fantastic and easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go” was how experienced users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.

The smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery developed by Tesla Motors Inc. with a capacity of 16.5 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket. A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 – 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. At an average speed of 25 – 30 km/h that is normal in city traffic the smart fortwo electric drive can drive for around four to five hours continuously before it needs to be recharged. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.

Electronics optimise the battery charge status and power consumption

Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. This battery management system constantly monitors voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving uphill at constant peak power (kickdown) – the electronics reduce the power output. However, this is barely noticeable and it rules out the risk of battery overload.

The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacitydisplay. The vehicle’s power electronics supply the vehicle’s electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.

Extensive equipment

The smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with high-quality equipment. Along with air conditioning with automatic temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includes smart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy. In addition, all new second generation smart fortwo electric drives have green painted wheels, green mirror caps, green contrast components and a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil . The words “electric drive” on the rear and in the mirror triangle also draw attention to the vehicle’s special status.

smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA

Since the end of 2009 the smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to selected leasing customers. Leases are offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles were handed over to customers in December within the framework of the “e-mobility Berlin” project. Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin, Daimler is creating ideal conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions. This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest. But as mentioned, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at any household safety socket with a 16 amp fuse (standard in Germany and other countries).

Further vehicles of the new generation smart fortwo electric drive will take to the roads of Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa, Madrid and Zurich and they will also be deployed in further projects in Europe. Start: in the first half of 2010. Some of the models will also be sent to US cities in the second half of 2010.

There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This third generation will be fitted with a new lithium-ion battery, which Daimler is developing to production maturity in cooperation with Evonik. The lithium-ion battery currently used comes from Tesla and represents state-of-the-art technology. However, further progress is anticipated. The main differences between the two batteries lie in the structural design. The Tesla battery consists of lots of cylinder-shaped cells. The Daimler battery will be made up of fewer but larger plate units. This will first and foremost enable a greater energy density to be achieved (and therefore a higher range) and an even longer life.

With the smart fortwo electric drive the cult brand is underlining its pioneering role on the road to attractive individual mobility with no local emissions in cities and urban areas. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, says: “All in all we believe that the outlook for electric mobility is good. Whilst our competitors are still presenting electric show cars, smart brought production models that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads last year. This once again demonstrates our technical expertise and responsibility.”

Earlier this week, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk was in Detroit to accept the “2010 Automotive Executive of the Year Innovator Award”.  At the event, Musk laid out a timeline for his company, noting that Tesla will be supplying electric drivetrain technology for the Mercedes A-Class EV in the coming years.  The news isn’t surprising, considering Daimler purchased an 8 percent stake in Tesla last year (and already collaborates with Daimler on the smart ev); the real question is how long it will be before the A-Class EV will make it to the U.S.  We’ll keep you posted if we hear anything new; in the meantime, Wired has more details of Musk’s timeline covering Tesla’s other production targets.

Daimler is to display its long-term commitment to sustainable mobility and future-orientated drive technologies through its participation at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The automobile inventor is to take part in numerous activities at the motorshow, including offering visitors the chance to experience a smart fortwo electric drive model, which is powered by an electric motor in combination with a lithium-ion battery.

A further exhibition will focus on the car2go mobility concept, which allows customers to rent a smart fortwo vehicle from anywhere at any time.

Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, said: “Fully in line with our strategy for sustainable mobility, we will present a broad spectrum of drive technologies at the World Expo. “As well as electric cars powered by batteries or fuel cells, we will also present our innovative mobility project. The ‘flex mover’ concept also provides a visionary outlook of future possibilities for individual mobility.”

The smart fortwo electric drive was on show earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show and is able to reach a limited top speed of 62 miles per hour.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions meaning it is a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck says “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with no compromises.”

Freezing cold temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees during both the day and night, and intensive handling tests on sheet ice, compacted snow and public roads too: these were the conditions faced recently by the prototype of the Mercedes-Benz Vito with battery-electric drive when it successfully undertook and passed a series of the harshest winter tests near the polar circle.

All functions tested in extreme cold, snow and ice

Despite being limited to a top speed of 80 km/h, the Vito with electric drive must nevertheless also pass all of the tests which a combustion-engined Vito has to endure. Whether tricky handling courses, extreme gradients, cornering circuits under critical conditions or braking measurements – these are just some of the tests which the safety systems, drive, suspension and all of the other components of a Mercedes-Benz van must endure, even in extreme cold, snow and ice, without encountering any problems. In addition, the properties of the electric drive system, for example braking via the electric motor for energy recuperation, must also be integrated into the handling systems.

Van developers traditionally test new vehicles and components each winter in the far north, in Arjeplog/Sweden, just an hour’s drive from the polar circle.

Further endurance tests to follow prior to start of series production

Having now already become acquainted with the extreme winter in Lapland, the whisper-quiet, zero-emission van is also due to face other endurance tests in the Alps, in the heat of Spain and also on other continuous operation routes.

When it comes to safety equipment, the Vito with electric drive will not be cutting any corners. All models will come with ESP as standard which combines the functions of both ABS and ASR. The number and type of airbags will also be the same as currently available on the Vito range. The vehicles are also subjected to crash tests in order to guarantee the highest possible level of passive safety.

Range of around 130 km, no loss in transport capacity

The Vito with battery-electric drive is the world’s first van available with an electric-drive system ex factory. The drive is designed is designed solely to run on battery power and thus dispenses with the powertrain intended for combustion engines. A battery featuring powerful lithium-ion technology supplies energy to the Vito. With an operating voltage of 400 V, 16 A current and an available capacity of 32 kWh, the Vito’s range averages 130 km but can be considerably higher given an appropriate driving style. The electric motor delivers a peak output of 90 kW. With an electronically limited top speed of 80 km/h, performance is designed to meet transportation needs in and around urban areas. There is also no loss in terms of payload or load volume compared to a conventionally powered Vito.

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin is to produce a new generation of transmission-integrated electric engines for Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles from 2012 onwards. As a result of this decision, the site will add a key technology of the future to its production portfolio. The intensive collaboration between the plant and the research and development departments will create excellent conditions for the further development and production of the latest technologies.

Volker Stauch, Head of Powertrain Production at Mercedes-Benz Cars, says: “The electrification of the drive system will play an important part in mobility in the future. The Berlin plant already has a wealth of expertise in the manufacture of electrically controlled components. Through this decision, this site will play an even more important part in shaping the future drive systems portfolio of Mercedes-Benz.” Thomas Uhr, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin, adds: “The whole team in Berlin has worked long and hard on building up the site’s potential in the field of electric mobility. It is thanks to our employees that our overall package has proved convincing. Our goal is to continue to gain points with our services in future and to help shape the age of electric mobility.”

With this decision, Mercedes-Benz Cars is continuing its strategy of building up technology for the electrification of drive systems as a core competence, also in production. The decision to award the contract for the development and production of the new transmission-integrated electric engine to Berlin was made as part of the overall strategy of actively shaping sustainable mobility. As part of this strategy, Daimler has also taken on a leading role in the development and production of battery cells and the future manufacture of lithium ion battery systems in two joint ventures with Evonik Industries AG.

Investment in future technologies

A hall with a surface area of 4,000 m² is currently being converted for the new scope of production at the Berlin plant. The company is to invest around EUR 40 million in total in the development and production of the new engine. The necessary machinery and equipment is to be set up in the new production buildings by early 2011. A total of 50 employees will be involved in the development and production of these electric engines at the site. The engines are expected to be used in Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles from 2012 onwards.

The electric engine is a transmission-integrated version, i.e. the electric engine is built in as part of the automatic transmission and can develop an engine power of 15 kW and more. It boosts performance by interacting with the combustion engine and lowers consumption by recovering energy during braking, for example, which charges the battery.

Tradition of electric engine production in Berlin

With a history going back over 100 years, the Berlin plant is firmly rooted in the German capital. The history of the electric engine has its origins here. Even at the end of the 19th century, the electric engine was already being regarded as an alternative to the combustion engine. Motorfahrzeug und Motorenfabrik Berlin-Marienfelde [Berlin-Marienfelde motor vehicle and engine factory], the precursor to the current Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin, presented its first electric vehicle as early as 1898. The partner for the project was the Columbia Electric Company in Connecticut, USA, which continued to produce electric cars until 1918.

The licensing agreement with the Berlin plant, which originated from the company Altmann & Cie. GmbH, was signed in 1897. In 1899, Motorfahrzeug- und Motorenfabrik Berlin-Marienfelde offered four different passenger cars based on the US patent. However, Columbia Electric’s electromobile system was unable to keep up with the rapid development of the combustion engine, and production in Berlin-Marienfelde stopped in 1902. In the same year, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft merged with Motorfahrzeug- und Motorenfabrik Berlin-Marienfelde, following a resolution passed on 16 August.

The Berlin plant currently produces V6 and V8 diesel engines and V12 biturbo engines for the Mercedes-Benz and Maybach brands. It also focuses on product development and production in the area of components and parts.

Dates, figures and facts about the Berlin plant:

Total area: 501,502 m²

Area taken up by buildings: 235,915 m²

Employee numbers (site/MBC share): 2,853/ 2,740

Plant manager: Thomas Uhr

Year plant founded: 1902

Annual production: Engines 104,544

As at: 12/2009

Past and present highlights:

1902 Takeover of Motorfahrzeug- und Motorenfabrik Berlin AG (MMB) by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG)

1936 Construction of large engines for ships and aircraft and production of off-road commercial vehicles

1962 Plant included in the production network for Daimler-Benz plants

1997 Production of the smart petrol engine begins

2005 Production of the new generation of V6/V8 diesel engines begins

2007 Production of BlueTEC versions of the V6 diesel engine begins

The smart fortwo is part of the roadscape of modern cities and plays a role in shaping their change. New technologies and environmental framework conditions influence the future of urban areas and the way we live in cities. The automobile brand smart is taking up this subject and inviting the exchange of ideas and dialogue on “The future of the city” in six European cities. A temporary exhibition platform is being set up – “smart urban stage” – where future-oriented projects will be exhibited. In the next twelve months the “smart urban stage” will visit the cities of Berlin, Rome, Zurich, Paris, Madrid and London.

“What will the future be like in urban areas and how will we move around? These questions have always driven the smart brand. With the ‘smart urban stage’ we are bringing leading thinkers from relevant areas together to discuss visions of urban life with them”, says Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director smart brand and Head of Sales & Marketing smart.

The starting signal will be given for the “smart urban stage” in Berlin. From 08 May to 13 June 2010 ten national projects from the fields of society, design, architecture, media, science and mobility will be presented in specially constructed temporary premises with an innovative architecture concept at Oranienburger Straße 59-63. The works shown are concerned with future-oriented and sustainable ideas relating to the future of urban life. They aim to provide answers to the question of how people living in urban areas can bring more community and sustainability into their everyday lives. The exhibits will be curated by experts and leading thinkers from these fields.

The importance of the projects is reflected in the “smart future minds award”. The car brand will award the future prize with prize money of €10,000 to the most innovative project at each of the six “smart urban stage” stations. The national winners from each of the six cities will also take part in the international final where the overall 2011 winner will be chosen.

In addition to the exhibition, smart is the first car manufacturer to offer a personal introduction to the subject of electric mobility. Those interested can experience mobility of the future in theory and practice and test drive the smart fortwo electric drive.

The smart fortwo electric drive is one of the main players on the ‘smart urban stage’. With its zero-emission drive it is already redefining urban mobility. smart has been producing the electric variant of the two-seater car since the end of 2009 and the vehicles are being delivered to the first customers in a total of eight countries in Europe and North America. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive as an alternative drive will be available from dealers alongside the petrol and diesel models.

Further information is available at www.smart-urban-stage.com.

The Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle shows the future of premium cars from a new perspective: the one-off five-seater executive saloon combines efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features as well as an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling in line with the brand’s hallmark attribute of refined sportiness. With an exterior length of 4.75 metres, the F 800 Style offers a generously-sized interior incorporating intelligent seating, control and display concepts. Another world-first for large saloons is the all-new, exceptionally flexible multi-drive platform, which is suitable for electric drive with fuel cells, enabling a range of almost 600 kilometres, as well as for a plug-in hybrid that can drive for up to 30 kilometres solely on electricity. Both variants of the F 800 Style make locally emission-free mobility possible for a premium car, while at the same time being ideal for everyday driving and providing a dynamic driving experience.

“We are dedicated to reconciling our responsibility for the environment with practical customer benefit in an exciting car,” says Dr Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new F 800 Style research vehicle combines this commitment to providing the leading innovative drive concepts with our traditional Mercedes strengths in the areas of design, safety, comfort and outstanding performance.”

A glimpse of the future for pioneering executive saloons

Within the compact 4.75-metre long exterior of the F 800 Style, all of the components of the vehicle’s exceptionally efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drive systems (plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell drive system) are installed in the engine compartment and in the gaps within the chassis to save space. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space. This applies in particular to the electric drive with fuel cells, which has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz to be compact and powerful. The front end’s compact package was made possible by the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for five occupants.

“For many decades now, our research vehicles have been turning pioneering concepts into reality and thereby setting future trends. We set a course in the large touring saloon segment in 2007, when we unveiled the F 700,” says Professor Herbert Kohler, Head of E-Drive & Future Mobility and Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler. “Characteristic features of the F 800 Style include innovations whose development is already close to the series production stage. This is true not only of the electric drive with fuel cells but also of the plug-in hybrid, whose components were taken from our modular system for electric and hybrid vehicles.”

F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid: outstanding performance and CO2 emissions of 68 grams per kilometre

In combination with the powerful plug-in hybrid drive system, the F 800 Style is a dynamic expression of the “fascination and responsibility” concept. Its drive unit consists of a V6 petrol engine developing around 200 kW (272 hp) with next-generation direct injection, a hybrid module developing around 80 kW (109 hp) and a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket. Thanks to its powerful and high-torque hybrid module, in the city the F 800 Style can run exclusively on electricity and therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it also provides high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle delivers the same level of performance as a car with a V6 petrol engine even when operating in electric mode. The F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid can run purely on electricity for up to 30 kilometres. The F 800 Style research vehicle therefore marks a further important step in the development of a market-ready plug-in hybrid. Mercedes‑Benz will begin series production of this technology when the next-generation S-Class is introduced.

Thanks to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for its battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of 2.9 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres, equivalent to low CO2 emissions of 68 grams per kilometre – six grams per kilometre lower than the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. Yet the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid still delivers performance on a par with a sports car (0-100 km/h in 4.8 s, top speed of 250 km/h). When driven in electric mode, the F 800 Style has a top speed of 120 km/h, and can thus also meet practically every requirement associated with long-distance driving.

As is the case with the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID introduced in the summer of 2009 and the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, the powerful electric module with an output of around 80 kW (109 hp) in the F 800 Style is integrated in the housing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. The lithium-ion battery in the new research vehicle is located underneath the rear seat bench, where it takes up little space, creates a low centre of gravity and ensures maximum safety in the event of a crash.

The electric drive components in the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid once again demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz’s modular hybrid system, which can be expanded in various ways, depending on performance needs and the area of application. On this basis, it is possible to combine hybrid modules and batteries of different performance ratings with fuel-efficient, high-torque petrol and diesel engines. Examples range from the current mild hybrids all the way to plug-in hybrids that enable exclusively electric driving over long distances. When developing the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid, the Mercedes engineers particularly focused on improving the possibilities of driving exclusively with electricity in urban traffic. As a result, the F 800 Style offers even higher power reserves in e-mode than the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. The F 800 Style can therefore easily master all kinds of city traffic while producing no local emissions. With the powerful hybrid module, the top speed of the F 800 Style with plug-in hybrid has been increased from 75 km/h to 120 km/h in electric mode compared to the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID. Furthermore, it emits 68 grams of CO2 per kilometre, compared to the latter vehicle’s 74 grams per kilometre.

Flexible, safe and fully suited to everyday use: F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel-cell technology

The F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel-cell technology also offers high levels of driving pleasure and handling dynamics. The vehicle’s electric motor develops around 100 kW (136 hp) and has an impressive torque of around 290 Nm. The fuel cell generates the traction current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen on board the vehicle, producing water vapour as the only emission in the process.

The components of the fuel-cell drive are taken from the E-Drive modular system, which Mercedes-Benz has developed for a variety of different electric vehicles. These components, which are already being installed in the limited-edition B-Class F-CELL, can be flexibly used and are suitable for a variety of different drive configurations. The F 800 Style is an example of this, as it uses rear-wheel drive, in contrast to the B-Class F-CELL. The same components are also installed in commercial vehicles, with developments here being spearheaded by the new Citaro fuel-cell bus, which is equipped with two of the F-CELL systems used in passenger cars.

The new Mercedes-Benz research vehicle has the fuel cell located in the front, while the compact electric motor is installed near the rear axle. The lithium-ion battery is positioned behind the rear seats, where it benefits from maximum possible protection against the effects of accidents, as do the four hydrogen tanks. Two of the tanks are located in the transmission tunnel between the passengers, while the other two are underneath the rear seat. They are designed to withstand all conceivable loads that could occur.

F 800 Style with further innovations for enhanced convenience and safety

In addition to a multi-drive platform that is unparalleled for large saloons and a combination of different alternative drive technologies, the F 800 Style features many other technological innovations, such as a new control and display concept and a human-machine interface (HMI) with a cam touchpad. The display has many additional functions not found in conventional instrument clusters. The F 800 Style model’s control and display concept focuses for the first time primarily on electric driving functions.

HMI with cam touchpad for intuitive and reliable control

The new cam touchpad HMI is an intelligent system expansion for COMAND. For many years now, Mercedes-Benz has been forging ahead with the development of innovative control and display systems. A particularly user-friendly innovation is being presented in the F 800 Style. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the centre console and a camera that records video images of the user’s hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form on the central display above the centre console. The user sees the contours of his or her fingers glide across the image without covering anything, thus ensuring that all of the functions of the currently used menu remain visible so that they can be easily operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad. Pressing the display with one’s fingers generates a feeling similar to that of touching laptop keys so that users know when they are carrying out specific actions.

The cam touchpad HMI unit recognises finger movements on the pad surface – such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming – thus enabling intuitive control of the climate control system, telephone, audio and navigation systems, and internet access. The unit enhances active safety as well, since it is extremely easy and convenient to use and therefore does not distract the motorist as much from the actual task of driving. And unlike conventional touchscreens, the HMI c am touchpad does not get smudged with fingerprints, ensuring that it remains clearly visible at all times.

Furthermore, the cam touchpad has clear advantages over conventional touchpad units, since the latter generally depict hand or finger positions only by a small point on the display. Their lack of precision makes it very risky to enter information while driving, because doing so diverts the motorist’s attention too much from the road. By contrast, the HMI with cam touchpad can be easily and safely operated even while driving. Testers have confirmed that the HMI with cam touchpad is extremely easy and safe to use, particularly as a result of the transparent depiction of the hand.

Range on Map: graphic range depiction during electric operation

Another exceptionally user-friendly innovation created by the Mercedes engineers is the “Range on Map” function, which shows the remaining possible travel radius in electric mode as a 360° view on a map. The system provides this function by combining information on the current battery charge level with data from the navigation system. In the new control and display concept, Mercedes‑Benz has created a solution that provides an unparalleled amount of information based on a system of exemplary clarity. The engineers have thus achieved the goal of successfully developing a comprehensive yet easy-to-use information and control system for future cars equipped with electric or partially electric drive systems.

Mirror display is easy on the eyes

The mirror display of the innovative cam touchpad HMI eliminates the differences between close-proximity visibility and visibility over longer distances, thus contributing to the driver’s physiological safety in typical Mercedes style. The system displays driving and vehicle information via a mirror in the instrument cluster so that it appears to be further away. The distance the eye looks into is thus extended, which means less switching between near and far focus – and therefore less fatigue – for the eyes.

New DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function further reduces the stress of driving

In 2006, Mercedes-Benz introduced DISTRONIC PLUS, the world’s first proximity and speed control system that operates right up to the point at which the car comes to a standstill. The system substantially reduces driver stress in dense traffic, as it regulates the distance from the vehicle in front even at very low speeds, all the way down to a standstill. With its new DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function in the F 800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has also become the world’s first car manufacturer to implement a system that is capable of following the vehicle in front of it into bends. The system recognises the difference between driving along twisting roads and turning corners, which means that it does not “blindly” follow the vehicle in front – for example, when the vehicle in front changes lanes in order to exit a motorway. The result is that, at speeds of up to about 40 km/h, the Traffic Jam Assist function takes care of both longitudinal and transverse movements so that the driver does not actually have to steer the car. When the 40 km/h mark is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the Traffic Jam Assist function is deactivated smoothly.

“The DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assist function is the logical continuation of the Mercedes-Benz assistance and safety philosophy. With it, we are setting another milestone on the path towards creating innovative systems, with which we will further enhance the high level of driving comfort that is a Mercedes hallmark,” says Professor Bharat Balasubramanian, Head of Product Innovations & Process Technologies at Group Research and Advanced Engineering.

The required data is generated by radar distance sensors that are supplemented by a stereo camera. Drivers can, of course, override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors detect the driver’s active steering movements, thus automatically deactivating the system’s lateral control function.

PRE-SAFE 360° improves safety in rear-end collisions

While the Traffic Jam Assist function heightens comfort and active safety, the PRE-SAFE 360° protection system further improves passive safety. PRE‑SAFE 360° is based on the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system developed by Mercedes-Benz. PRE-SAFE 360° also monitors the area behind the vehicle. As a result, the system applies the brakes around 600 milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision occurs. The key advantage of this system is that braking a stationary vehicle that is hit in the rear helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that occur when the car is catapulted uncontrollably towards a junction or a pedestrian crossing. Of course, PRE-SAFE 360° still allows the driver to take control at any time. For example, the brake is released immediately if the driver hits the accelerator knowing that there is sufficient space in front of his or her own vehicle to avoid being hit in the rear.

Rear pivot-and-slide doors make for extremely easy entry

One particularly customer-friendly innovation for the F 800 Style is the rear-door design. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillars in a conventional manner and open wide towards the front, the rear doors slide backwards when opened, as they are suspended from an interior swivel arm. Because the doors slide back close to the vehicle body, occupants find it much easier to get into and out of the car in tight parking spaces.

The elegant F 800 Style also has no B-pillars, making the entire space between the A- and C-pillars fully accessible when the doors are opened. Despite the absence of B-pillars, the F 800 Style boasts an extremely robust and lightweight bodyshell that meets Mercedes’ typically stringent crash-safety requirements.

Reinterpretation of the classic Mercedes-Benz design idiom

The F 800 Style is both a technology platform and a showcar. This research vehicle was created as a result of collaboration between technical research and advanced engineering departments and the advanced design studios in Sindelfingen, Germany and Como, Italy. Its exterior appearance is marked by a long wheelbase, short body overhangs and a sensually flowing roof line.

“The exciting coupe-like roof line and the vehicle’s balanced proportions lend it a stylishly sporty look that reinterprets the Mercedes-Benz design idiom and emphasises the sculptural character of the F 800 Style,” says Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Professor Gorden Wagener. “The result is a harmonious blend of innovative form and function, which conveys a sense of great styling and authority.”

Hallmark Mercedes front end with distinctive LED headlamps

The vehicle’s front end features a variation of the radiator grille with the centrally positioned star that is a hallmark of sporty Mercedes models. The curved radiator grille louvres flow softly around the tube holding the Mercedes star. Along with the wide radiator grille and the generously curved air intake openings, the model’s unique, powerful LED headlamps emphasise the dynamic nature of the research vehicle. The headlamps are divided into individual segments for daytime driving lights, turn signal indicators and main headlamps. The F 800 Style’s tail lights also feature state-of-the-art LED technology, which enables an exciting interplay of indirect illumination and direct beams. The result is an attractive, unmistakable and memorable visual effect.

Wood and light create a cosy interior

Fine wood surfaces and plenty of light ensure a high level of comfort in the interior of the F 800 Style. Occupants will immediately notice the modern sense of lightness: functional elements such as the cockpit and the door armrests seem to float in space like sculptures. The lightweight-construction seats in the F 800 Style consist of a magnesium shell and a carbon-fibre laminate backrest across which resistant netting is stretched. The seat shell also features wood veneer. For the wood veneer process, the Mercedes-Benz engineers used a 3D surface coating procedure designed especially for the veneering of three-dimensional surfaces. This same procedure was used to create the wood finishing in the centre console, on the doors and in the cockpit. These wood finishing pieces are moulded as 3D laminated components and are augmented by an aluminium core, which ensures that the components meet Mercedes’ typically high crash-safety standards.

Successful transfer from research to series production

Mercedes-Benz has presented 13 research vehicles since the early 1980s. This series of exciting and pioneering cars – beginning with the Auto 2000 in 1981 and leading up to today’s F 800 Style – offers proof of the consistency and foresight with which Mercedes-Benz engineers address the core issues of research and technology in order to develop innovative solutions for the future. Many systems that were first used in research vehicles and viewed as revolutionary at the time can now be found in Mercedes-Benz production cars, including the DISTRONIC proximity control system, which was first installed in the F 100 in 1991 and made its series-production debut in the S-Class in 1998.

The F 800 Style marks a continuation of this approach. Like its predecessors, the model features key drive, comfort, and safety innovations, as well as an avant-garde design, all of which point the way forward for the series production of future Mercedes-Benz vehicles that will continue to deliver an impressive take on the “fascination and responsibility” theme.

Spring is in the air at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and invites visitors to the smart stand to take a break and recharge their batteries. Minimum stress and easy-going joie de vivre are also declared aims of the new smart fortwo electric drive which has been rolling off the production line at smart’s factory in Hambach, France since mid November 2009. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available. The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. In Germany, a full battery charge costs approximately two euros and is sufficient for a range of around 135 kilometres – more than enough for city traffic. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for mobility with zero local emissions in urban areas. The first models of the new smart fortwo electric drive were handed over to customers in Berlin on 17 December 2009. Further cities in Europe and the USA will follow, allowing the environmentally friendly trendsetter to demonstrate its suitability for everyday use. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available to anyone interested.

Marc Langenbrinck, responsible for brand management at smart says “In 1998 smart revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle concept. Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and redefining zero-emission urban mobility. We are the first manufacturer to launch a series-produced electric vehicle. Daimler is spearheading electric mobility with the smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption anyway.”

Environmental friendliness and state-of-the-art functionality 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 sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and it brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful, modern and yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive, which started rolling off the production line in mid November 2009, is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck says “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with no compromises.”

Electric drive factored in from the very first concept

The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety, agility, comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models. The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.

Powerful drive

A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 – 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial said “You can beat anything at the lights”. The maximum speed of the smart fortwo electric drive has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable maximum speed for the city.

Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is required. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine’s direction of rotation changes. “Fantastic and easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go” was how experienced users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.

The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery developed by Tesla Motors Inc. with capacity of 16.5 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket. A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 – 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. At an average speed of 25 – 30 km/h that is normal in city traffic the smart fortwo electric drive can drive for around four to five hours continuously before it needs to be recharged. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.

Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. This battery management system constantly monitors voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving uphill at constant peak power (kickdown) – the electronics reduce the power output. However, this is barely noticeable and it rules out the risk of battery overload.

The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacity display. The vehicle’s power electronics supply the vehicle’s electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.

Extensive equipment

The new second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with high quality equipment. As well as air conditioning with automatic temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includessmart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy. In addition, all new second generation smart fortwo electric drives have green painted wheels, green mirror caps, green contrast components and a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil. The words “electric drive” on the rear and in the mirror triangle also draw attention to the vehicle’s special status.

Very low costs

Based on German electricity prices it costs approximately two euros to drive the smart fortwo electric drive for 100 kilometres (even cheaper with off-peak electricity ). This is less than the price of two litres of petrol. Electric power is much cheaper in lots of countries. The maintenance costs are considerably lower than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor and other components of the electric drive are practically maintenance-free.

There are also numerous other factors that make electric mobility attractive for customers. Tax relief and other government subsidies are an important aspect. For example, the state of Monaco offers tax relief of up to €9,000 to electric car owners. Other countries have also set up funding programmes for sustainable mobility. France grants a “super environment incentive” of €5000 for every vehicle emitting less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre. China and Japan have announced subsidies of €6,500 and €11,000 respectively.

smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA

Since the end of 2009 the second generation smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to selected leasing customers. Leases are offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles were handed over to customers in December within the framework of the “e-mobility Berlin” project . Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin Daimler is creating ideal conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions. This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest. But as mentioned, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at any household safety socket with a 16 amp fuse (standard in Germany and other countries).

Further vehicles of the new generation smart fortwo electric drive will take to the roads of Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa and Madrid and they will also be deployed in further projects in Europe. Start: in the first half of 2010. Some of the models will also be sent to US cities in the second half of 2010.

There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This third generation will be fitted with a new lithium-ion battery which Daimler is developing to production maturity in cooperation Evonik. The lithium-ion battery currently used comes from Tesla and represents state-of-the-art technology. However, further progress is anticipated. The main differences between the two batteries lie in the structural design. The Tesla battery consists of lots of cylinder-shaped cells. The Daimler battery will be made up of fewer but larger plate units. This will first and foremost enable a greater energy density to be achieved (and therefore a higher range) and an even longer life.

With the smart fortwo electric drive the brand is underlining its pioneering role on the road to attractive individual mobility with no local emissions in cities and urban areas. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars says “All in all we believe that the outlook for electric mobility is good. Whilst our competitors are still presenting electric show cars, smart brought production models that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads last year. This once again demonstrates our technical expertise and responsibility.”

A synthesis of green technology and stylish-sporty design, the F 800 Style impressively demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’ ability to harmonize automobile fascination and emotion with the continually increasing demands of environmental compatibility. Like its predecessor, the F 700 presented at the 2007 IAA motor show, the latest research vehicle from the brand with the star offers a clear idea of what we can expect in the future from premium automobiles “made by Mercedes-Benz.” Whereas the 5.18-meter F 700 provided a preview of the large touring sedan of the future, the much shorter F 800 Style (4.75 meters exterior length) points the way toward developments to come in the upper-range sedan segment.

“The F 800 Style combines the functionality of a groundbreaking upper-class sedan with the highly emotional formal idiom of the new Mercedes-Benz design,” says Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Gorden Wagener. “The long wheelbase and the model’s intelligent interior design ensure a generous amount of space and great freedom of movement for five occupants. The result is a distinctive harmony of form and function, whereby the Mercedes brand value of ‘cultivated sportiness’ can be seen and felt in every detail.”

With a total length of 4.75 meters, the F 800 Style has both a longer wheelbase (2,924 millimeters) and a greater width (1,938 millimeters) than today’s upper-range sedans. All of the components of the vehicle’s extremely efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drive system (either Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell drive) are installed in a space-saving manner in the engine compartment and in the gaps within the chassis. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for up to five occupants.

Reinterpretation of the typical Mercedes-Benz design idiom

The exterior appearance of the F 800 Style is marked by its long wheelbase, short body overhangs, and a sensually flowing, coupe-like roof line. The dynamic side view and the vehicle’s balanced proportions lend it a sporty yet sensual look that conveys a feeling of style and superior performance. “The F 800 blends seamlessly into our design scheme,” says Wagener. “It’s immediately recognizable as a Mercedes, even though it embodies our reinterpretation and further development of the brand’s typical design idiom.”

Another important design feature in the F 800 Style is its organically stretched body surface elements. These flow into convex transition zones and are delineated by precisely curved lines. This creates characteristic lines which visually subdivide the vehicle body and generate emotional tension. The powerful front contoured line on the sidewall extends across the flank and then fades off as it moves downward. This line lends the F 800 Style – with its grey metallic ALU-BEAM color tone – a highly dynamic appearance, without making it seem aggressive. The sensually curved roof line underscores the exceptional aerodynamic quality of the coupe, which has a height of 1.43 meters.

The Mercedes-Benz brand star is smoothly framed

The F 800 Style’s front end features a variation of the radiator grille with the centrally placed brand star that can be found in the new E-Class coupe as well as in other models. This grille extends prominently toward the front in the F 800 Style, while the bionically curving lamellae softly flow around the tube holding the Mercedes-Benz brand star. Other noticeable design features include the drop-shaped and thus aerodynamically designed exterior mirrors, whose housings, like those in the Concept BlueZERO model, are partially transparent and backlit.

LED headlights give the F 800 Style an expressive “face”

A “shining” example of technological and design innovation at Mercedes-Benz is offered in the truest sense of the word by the powerful LED headlights in the F 800 Style. The combination of fiber optics and state-of-the-art LED technology lends the vehicle a striking appearance. Along with the wide radiator grille and the generously curved air intake openings, the LED headlights emphasize the dynamic nature of the research vehicle. The headlights are divided into individual segments for daytime running lights, turn signal indicators, and primary headlights.

The F 800 Style’s taillights are also equipped with state-of-the-art LED units that enable an exciting interplay of indirect illumination and direct beams, which further enhances the stylish appearance of the vehicle’s rear section at night. The result is an attractive, unmistakable, and memorable visual effect.

Translucent roof makes for a bright interior

The F 800 Style’s translucent roof is divided into several segments. With flowing lines that dissolve and let more and more light through, the roof incorporates the wave styling elements of the air outlets. The F 800 Style’s 20-inch alloy wheels are equipped with plastic inserts whose bionically arranged air intake openings are shaped like filigree turbine blades.

Wood and a pleasant color gradient create a cozy interior

Natural wood surfaces and a harmonious color gradient from light to dark make for an elegant and cozy interior in the F 800 Style. This interior was created at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy, and its modern sense of lightness is immediately noticed by occupants. Functional elements such as the driver area and the door armrests seem to float in space like sculptures, while light-colored wood surfaces underscore the model’s elegant ambience. Side panels covered with alcantara form a visual contrast to the wood. The panels are light beige in the area of the A-pillar and grow darker in a smooth color gradient as they extend to the back, ending in a dark grey tone in the rear of the vehicle. Additional design details are provided by attractive engraved patterns in the rear door panels.

Innovative real wood veneering process for seats, door armrests, and the driver area

The innovative lightweight-construction seats in the F 800 Style consist of a magnesium shell and a carbon fiber laminate seatback across which a fine yet resistant netting is stretched. The seat shell is veneered with real wood. For the wood inlaying process, Mercedes-Benz engineers employed an innovative technology designed especially for the veneering of three-dimensional surfaces. The new 3D surface coating procedure developed by Mercedes-Benz was also used to install the wood finishing in the center console, on the doors, and in the driver area. These wood finishing pieces are molded as 3D laminated components and are augmented by an aluminum layer, a feature that significantly improves crash safety.

The single-section organically curved cockpit offers plenty of legroom for front-seat passengers. In a setup similar to the one used in the F 700 research vehicle from 2007, all important information for the driver is presented on the large and clearly arranged display unit in the instrument cluster. A key new feature of this improved display is that it focuses for the first time on data associated with electric vehicle operation. The unit thus puts important relevant information such as the battery charge state and remaining vehicle range at the center of attention.

The integrated display unit, which elegantly protrudes from the curved console, provides for a feeling of exceptional interior spaciousness. Outstanding ergonomic quality is guaranteed by the new HMI with cam touchpad integrated into the center console. The unit also boasts several technical innovations, including its ability to visually depict the current functions within the cam touchpad’s menu structure on the display above the center console.

Rear pivot-and-slide doors blend into the elegant design lines

The rear doors of the F 800 Style ideally embody the harmony of form and function that typifies the vehicle. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillar in a conventional manner and open toward the front, the rear doors slide backward when opened. The innovative swivel arm construction of the rear doors allowed designers to forgo the use of visible door rails, giving the F 800 Style the appearance of being cast in one piece when its doors are closed. “We integrated the door technology into the vehicle in such a manner that it blends seamlessly into the overall design flow, thus perfectly harmonizing ergonomics and design,” says Wagener.

Form and function are equally important

The F 800 Style is both a technology package and a showcar. The latest Mercedes-Benz research vehicle was created through close international cooperation between the technical research and advanced engineering departments and the advanced design studios in Sindelfingen and Como, Italy. Form and function are equally important in the F 800 Style. For example, all of the air intake openings and outlets have an important technical function in addition to the bold design statement they make, and the organic, nature-based wave shape for the protective grille is a typical design feature that is present throughout the vehicle.

In the future, it will be more important than ever to bring mobility and environmental protection into harmony. The world’s population will continue to grow, in particular in the metropolitan areas. This will result in an increased demand for mobility and consequently increased traffic density. According to the latest studies, the total number of automobiles in the world will double to roughly 1.8 billion vehicles by 2030. As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz has also assumed responsibility for its continued development – with respect to efficient and clean drive solutions without compromising comfort, safety, functionality, and driving fun.

The research and development work of the Mercedes engineers is by no means restricted to current customer wishes and legal requirements, however. Long-term trends – in the technology domain as well as on the social and cultural level – are identified scientifically and adapted specifically for the development of automobiles. Systematic and goal-oriented futurology is thus an essential foundation of the innovative power of Mercedes-Benz, which takes on concrete form in research vehicles emblazoned with the star.

Mercedes-Benz brings pioneering concepts to life in its research vehicles, which is why it has continually set trends for the future in recent decades. The latest example is the F 800 Style. It features numerous technical innovations that are already at a near-series or even series-ready stage of development. Examples of this include the drive system options based on either Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell technology.

Multi drive system platform for two different drive concepts

The F 800 Style is suitable for use with a variety of drive system options thanks to its flexible multi drive platform, as the following example with two technically independent variants demonstrates:

• As the Plug-in Hybrid, the F 800 Style offers electric mobility with zero local emissions in urban settings. Over longer distances, a gasoline engine equipped with the latest-generation direct-injection technology is supported by the hybrid module, thereby enabling a high-performance and efficient driving experience
• The F-CELL variant is equipped with a fuel cell unit that runs on hydrogen for electric driving with zero local emissions. The only emission from electric cars powered by a fuel cell is water vapor

According to Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, “Hybrid and fuel cell electric drives are two important elements of our broad drive system portfolio, which enables us to satisfy all of the requirements of our customers throughout the world for the mobility of today, tomorrow, and beyond. Our road to sustainable mobility is a three-lane highway. The spectrum encompasses the optimization of vehicles with advanced combustion engines, further gains in efficiency through tailored hybridization, and driving with zero local emissions through the use of fuel cell or battery-powered vehicles.”

F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid: A three-liter car disguised as a sports car

Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards for future sustainable mobility with the F 800 Style. Thanks to a powerful and high-torque hybrid module, the F 800 Style Plug-in Hybrid can run almost exclusively on electricity in the city and therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it has a high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle has the same driving performance as a car with a V6 gasoline engine when operating in electric mode. It has an electric range of 30 kilometers. The efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode help the F 800 with Plug-in Hybrid to a certified fuel consumption of only 2.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This corresponds to extremely low CO2 emissions of only 68 grams per kilometer. Thanks to its outstanding efficiency, the F 800 Style equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid nevertheless performs like a powerful sports car. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in only 4.8 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. “The F 800 Style is thus the first three-liter car to feature such sporty performance while at the same time offering room for five passengers,” says Dr. Weber. Its drive unit consists of a V6 gasoline engine with an output of approximately 220 kW (300 hp) with next-generation direct injection and a hybrid module with an output of about 80 kW (109 hp) so that it delivers a total power of around 300 kW (409 hp). The lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of >10 kWh can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket.

The powerful electric drive enables the F 800 Style to drive at speeds of up to 120 km/h solely on electric power. The low-noise electric drive, which produces zero local emissions, thus covers the entire urban transportation spectrum and a large portion of the interurban spectrum. The vehicle has a cruising range of up to 30 kilometers in electric mode. Extreme efficiency is also a characteristic of the new 3.5 liter gasoline engine. The V6 engine features innovative spray-guided gasoline direct injection with high-precision piezo injectors. Thanks to the drive unit’s high efficiency, the 45 liter fuel tank in the F 800 Style Plug-in Hybrid is sufficient for a high combined range of around 700 kilometers.

Versatile modular hybrid system

The electric drive components in the F 800 Style with the Plug-in Hybrid once again demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz’ intelligent, extensively scalable modular hybrid system. The hybrid system can be expanded in various ways, depending on performance needs and the area of application. For example, hybrid modules of various performance classes and batteries delivering the associated capacities can be combined with the most frequently produced gasoline and diesel engines from Mercedes. All hybrid modules are compatible with the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

All variants of the hybrid drive system can be realized on the basis of these components: from mild hybrids to hybrids that also enable all-electric driving in addition to the boost, start/stop and recuperation functions. Another option is the Plug-in Hybrid used in the F 800 Style, which had previously been presented in similar form at the IAA 2009 in the Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid. With this particularly high-performance version of the Mercedes hybrid drive system, the battery can be charged via a household outlet, thus increasing the model’s electric range.

From a design standpoint, the hybrid module with around 80 kW output in the F 800 Style differs only slightly from the 44 kW variant used in the Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid. Whereas the lithium-ion battery in the Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid was placed behind the rear seats, the electric storage unit is now located under the rear seat in the F 800 Style. This installation location ensures the greatest possible crash safety, good driving dynamics thanks to the vehicle’s low center of gravity, and unrestricted space in the interior of the vehicle. The 45 liter gasoline tank is mounted behind the rear seat backrests, again in the interest of crash safety and to save space. The result is a generous 440 liters of trunk space. In designing the F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid, the Mercedes engineers particularly focused on improving the possibilities of driving exclusively with electricity in urban traffic. As a result, thanks to the high power reserves, the F 800 Style in e-mode easily masters all kinds of city traffic while producing no local emissions.

Clutch avoids engine drag losses

One system-specific attribute of the familiar hybrid concept from the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid is the clutch integrated between the combustion engine and the electric motor. This device decouples the two components in the pure electric drive mode, thereby ensuring the highest level of efficiency without engine drag losses. Moreover, because it is fully integrated into the converter housing of the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, this clutch does not take up any additional space.

A drive battery based on lithium-ion technology is used in the F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid. It is cooled via a separate cooling water loop connected to the research vehicle’s climate control system to ensure that the battery is cooled within an optimal temperature window. The plug-in battery of the F 800 Style can be charged both at charging stations and via a conventional household outlet, making the F 800 Style a full-fledged electric car. The vehicle’s charging outlet is framed by lighting elements that indicate the battery’s charge status. A slowly pulsing light indicates that charging is active; a constant light means that the battery is fully charged.

Powerful hybrid module: Electric mobility not only for inner cities

The high-performance battery with its storage capacity of >10 kWh and the hybrid module delivering approximately 80 kW/109 hp enable the F 800 Style to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h when running solely on electricity. Such speeds are fully sufficient for drives in the city as well as when covering longer distances. The high torque is available from the very first turn of the electric motor, giving the F 800 Style impressive performance. The vehicle is a dynamic high-performer, yet highly efficient, nearly silent, and produces zero local emission.

The gasoline engine automatically adds its power to that of the electric motor when traveling at high speeds or when the battery range of approximately 30 kilometers is reached. The vehicle electronics synchronize the speed of the combustion engine and the hybrid module so that the clutch engages without jerking and imperceptibly to the driver. What’s more, the sophisticated interplay with the combustion engine enables numerous additional functions that positively impact fuel consumption, emissions and vehicle agility.

In addition to an ECO start-stop function, these also include the so-called boost effect, which has the electric motor providing powerful support to the combustion engine during the acceleration phase. The vehicle’s hybrid module uses regenerative braking – the recovery of energy when braking – to provide additional energy to the battery when the car is in motion. The clutch enhances efficiency here as well, as it enables complete energy recuperation without engine drag losses.

Efficient gasoline engine with spray-guided piezo direct injection

Boasting an output of around 220 kW (300 hp), the V6 gasoline engine underscores the sporty nature of the F 800 Style. The engine is very efficient, thanks to its spray-guided direct injection system with highly precise piezo injectors. In 2006 Mercedes-Benz became the world’s first automotive brand to introduce spray-guided gasoline direct injection as standard. The system improves thermodynamic efficiency to enable better fuel utilization and therefore reduced fuel consumption. A key advantage comes to the fore when the engine is in its stratified operating mode, in which it runs with high excess air and thus achieves excellent fuel efficiency.

Because the combustion process was consistently enhanced, the Mercedes direct injection engine can maintain this advantageous “lean operation” across a wider engine speed and load range. In addition, it supplies fuel to the combustion chambers several times in succession at intervals of a fraction of a second during each power stroke. In this way, it was possible to further improve mixture formation, combustion, and fuel efficiency.

Driving pleasure without pollutant emissions:The F 800 Style with electric drive based on fuel cell technology

Thanks to its well-conceived layout, the F 800 Style also offers great handling and driving pleasure as well as room for up to five occupants in the variant equipped with an electric drive based on fuel cell technology. The vehicle’s electric motor develops around 100 kW (136 hp) as well as a strong torque of approximately 290 Nm. The fuel cell generates the traction current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen on board the vehicle. This process creates no pollutant emissions and produces only water vapor.

The Stuttgart-based automaker has been researching the use of electric drive systems with fuel cells in automobiles since 1994. As a result, it has gained an outstanding amount of expertise in this area. Mercedes-Benz has already presented the world’s first fuel-cell automobile to be manufactured under series conditions: the new B-CLASS F-Cell. The first units of this small-batch model will be handed over to customers in 2010.

As is the case with hybrid drive technology, the Mercedes engineers have also developed a modular building block system for vehicles with battery and fuel cell drives. The modular system makes it possible to efficiently utilize shared parts in all electric vehicles. These components range from the electric motor and transmission to the battery, high-voltage safety systems, high-voltage wiring, and software. In F-CELL vehicles, specific components such as the fuel cell stacks can be used in a wide variety of automobiles. The F 800 Style’s fuel cell and electric motor, for example, are also used in the B-Class F-CELL. The fuel cell variant of the F 800 Style has an electronically limited top speed of 180 km/h.

The F 800 Style benefits from Daimler’s outstanding expertise in the area of fuel cell technology, which extends all the way to the production of fuel cell cars and commercial vehicles. The latest Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell bus is driven by two passenger car F-CELL systems of the same type that is found in the B-Class F-CELL.

Zero emissions even over long distances

The F 800 Style’s fuel cell electric drive was designed in such a way that it can be fully accommodated in the front of the vehicle. The front end’s compact package was made possible through the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. The components include a very quiet, yet powerful and highly efficient electric turbocharger for the air supply. Because the turbocharger is very quiet, complicated and voluminous soundproofing is not needed.

The compact components also make it possible to integrate the electric drive and fuel cell into a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the dimensions of a conventional sedan. To save space, the electric motor in such vehicles is located between the two rear wheels, while the lithium-ion battery is installed behind the backrest of the rear seat. To provide them with the best protection possible, the four hydrogen tanks are placed in the transmission tunnel between the passengers as well as underneath the rear seat.

The hydrogen for operating the fuel cell is stored in four onboard tanks at a pressure of 700 bars. The tanks can store up to 5.2 kilograms of the gaseous fuel, which is enough for a range of almost 600 kilometers. This long range is made possible through the well-thought-out integration of the tanks into the vehicle, creating the first automotive architecture that is consistently geared toward accommodating alternative drives. The tanks are hermetically sealed so that no hydrogen can escape even if the vehicle is not used for extended periods.

Increased efficiency through the recovery of braking energy

The electric motor transforms kinetic energy into electrical energy every time the brakes are engaged or the driver takes his or her foot off the gas pedal. The motor does this by recovering the energy, which it then stores in the battery. The electric motor uses electricity from the battery whenever the motorist is maneuvering in tight areas, driving in cities, caught in stop-and-go traffic, or making short trips. If the energy storage unit does not have enough capacity, the fuel cell is automatically switched on. The vehicle’s smart drive management system decides whether to use the electric energy from the lithium-ion battery, the fuel cell, or both systems together with the aim of achieving the highest efficiency in every situation.

F 800 Style with further innovations for more comfort and safety

In addition to a multi drive platform that is unparalleled for large sedans and the combination of different alternative drive technologies, the F 800 Style features many other technological innovations, These include innovative comfort and safety-related features, such the Traffic Jam Assistant developed on the basis of the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity radar system, and the especially convenient and precise HMI operating and display system featuring a cam touchpad. The display unit in the F 800 Style features numerous additional functions that go beyond those normally present in a conventional instrument cluster. The F 800 Style’s operation and display concept focuses for the first time primarily on electric driving functions.

Cam touchpad operating concept: full Internet access in the car

Provided a high-performance infrastructure is available, motorists will be able to make greater use of the Internet in automobiles in the future. In late 2008, Mercedes-Benz already provided a glance at what fully Internet-based infotainment systems in cars will look like, with myCOMAND. myCOMAND makes many new functions possible, including Internet telephony, personal Internet-based music databases, and offboard navigation systems that always employ the latest maps and also use the traffic information available on the Web when selecting routes. However, increasingly extensive infotainment functions in automobiles will require not only correspondingly large bandwidths for the communication networks, but also increasingly high-performance input and operating concepts within the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz is presenting another particularly user-friendly innovation in the F 800 Style in the form of a new human-machine interface (HMI) equipped with a cam touchpad. The feature is a well-conceived system expansion for COMAND. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the center console and a camera that records video images of the user’s hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form in the central display above the console. The key advantage of this solution is that icons that would be covered by the hand with conventional cell phones, for example, remain visible.

Users see their hands glide across the touchscreen as a “transparent” contour, allowing them to operate the functions of the current menu by applying a slight pressure. The touchpad can be operated with several fingers at the same time, and operating it feels similar to touching the keys of a notebook computer. Because the user interface is depressed by a few millimeters when touched, the activities carried out with the fingers are physically confirmed by the sense of touch.

The cam touchpad unit recognizes finger movements on the pad surface such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming, thus enabling intuitive regulation of the climate control system, phones, audio and navigation systems, and Internet access. The unit enhances active safety as well, because it is very easy and convenient to use and therefore does not distract the motorist as much from the actual task of driving.

Infrared camera transmits transparent image of the hand to central display

An infrared camera records the image of the hand and transmits it to the central display of the HMI with cam touchpad. The camera also detects the direction in which the hand is moving. The hand is always shown in the display when it is nearing the touchpad, but not when it is gliding across the center console. In this way, the system makes sure that the driver is not distracted by unexpected depictions in the central display. The camera is located in the center console, and the image it records is reflected by a mirror in such a way that it is focused on the touchpad. The center console has a black cover that is transparent to infrared light and protects the image channel against dust and other environmental influences.

Easy, convenient, and precise operation

The HMI with cam touchpad can be used more easily, more conveniently, and with greater precision than conventional touchscreen operating concepts. As a result, the user’s hand can remain at an ergonomically beneficial position on the center console, since the driver does not have to bend forward to reach the central display in order to operate the touchscreen. The system offers another benefit in that the display in the

F 800 Style is not smudged by fingerprints, as is the case with a touchscreen.

The cam touchpad also offers clear advantages over conventional touchpad units in which hand or finger positions are generally depicted only by a point in the display. This lack of precision makes it very risky to enter information while driving, because doing so diverts the motorist’s attention too much from the road. By contrast, the HMI with cam touchpad can be easily and safely operated even while driving. Test persons have confirmed that the HMI with cam touchpad is much easier to use than conventional systems, and that this is especially due to the transparent depiction of the hand. Unlike conventional touchpads, which determine the finger’s position on the pad by sensing capacitance, the Mercedes-Benz system uses infrared radiation to follow the movements on the touchpad. The hand therefore does not have to directly touch the cam touchpad in order to enter information, enabling drivers to use the system even when wearing gloves or using a pen. In addition, the cam touchpad developed by the Mercedes engineers optimally augments the LINGUATRONIC voice control system.

Range on Map: Graphic range depiction during electric operation

The Range on Map function represents yet another extremely user-friendly innovation from Mercedes-Benz. This feature shows the remaining possible travel radius during electric vehicle operation as a 360° map depiction in the display. The system combines information about the current battery charge level with data from the navigation system, which also enables topographical attributes specific to the area in question to be taken into account, thus providing the driver with even more precise information about the remaining range.

The new operating and display concept from Mercedes-Benz that is used in the F 800 Style is a solution that provides exemplary clarity. The engineers have thus achieved the goal of successfully developing a comprehensive and easy-to-operate information and control system for future automobiles equipped with electric or partially electric drive systems.

The following is an overview of the features of the HMI with cam touchpad:

• Permanently visible depiction of the separate and combined ranges of the electric motor and the combustion engine
• When a destination is entered into the navigation system, the display shows whether there is sufficient electrical energy available to reach the destination or how far it is possible to drive in pure electric mode until the combustion engine is automatically switched on
• To provide the driver with a quick overview, the Range on Map system shows the available electric driving range on a map
• If the battery has to be recharged, an integrated display shows the relationship between battery charging time and energy content
• Visualization of the energy flow (outflow of energy as well as inflow of energy through energy recovery)
• Because the vehicle does not make any noise when in electric driving mode, the motor’s readiness after “ignition” is shown to the driver on the display
• An electronic eco-trainer motivates the motorist to drive in an efficient manner that helps extend the vehicle’s range
• Mercedes-Benz has designed the future-oriented HMI with cam touchpad in such a way that the number of functions can be expanded. In the future the system will, for example, also show the location of public charging stations and guide the driver to the next charging station if desired

Mirror display is easy on the eyes

One of the chief factors causing fatigue during long trips is what in medical textbooks is referred to as “accommodation” – the strain of refocusing of the eyes when frequently switching the field of vision back and forth between near objects such as the dashboard display and objects farther away on the road. The eyes use muscle power to change their focus levels, which makes them very tired over time. The innovative display system was developed to eliminate the differences between close proximity visibility and visibility over longer distances, and therefore also to further enhance the physiological safety that is typically ensured by Mercedes.

With the SERVO-HMI display, the engineers have developed an optimized human-machine interface (HMI). It has been used before, in the F 700 research vehicle in 2007. The system displays driving and vehicle information via a mirror in the instrument cluster so that they appear to be farther away. The display with the instrument panel is mounted horizontally in the dashboard. A mirror guides the light from the display onto the instrument panel, where it is visible to the driver. The distance the eye looks into is thus extended, which means less switching between near and far focus for the eyes – a contribution to driving safety that has been confirmed by scientific studies.

The comfort for an automobile’s driver and passengers is defined not least by the vehicle’s versatile interior, which is designed with the users’ needs in mind. The interior also features a state-of-the-art infotainment system for passengers in the rear, which is integrated in the fold-away backrest of the middle seat in the rear.

Intelligent measures further reduce driver stress

Now more than ever, mobility has become an indispensable part of everyday life in modern societies, and people are therefore spending more and more time on the move – especially in cars. With this in mind, Mercedes-Benz assigns especially high priority to making the driving experience as comfortable and safe as possible. An important contribution is made by systems that ease the stress on drivers and thus improve their physiological well-being. Particularly stressful for drivers is having to constantly repeat the same actions in traffic jams: start to move – roll slowly – apply the brakes – stop – start again and so forth.

Back in 2006, Mercedes-Benz introduced DISTRONIC PLUS, the world’s first proximity and speed control system, which operates even when the car is standing still – and greatly reduces stress on the driver in congested traffic. DISTRONIC Plus regulates the distance from the car in front even at very low speeds, all the way to a standstill. When the car in front begins moving again, a tap on the gas pedal or the cruise control lever is all it takes for DISTRONIC PLUS to begin again to regulate the speed and distance from the driver up ahead.

DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assistant: Cars that drive themselves in traffic jams

With its new Traffic Jam Assistant feature in the F 800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has become the world’s first automaker to implement a system that is capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it into curves. At speeds of up to about 40 km/h, the system takes care of both longitudinal and transverse movements so that drivers do not have to steer themselves. The driver can just sit back and relax – with hands on the steering wheel. Drivers can, of course, override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors notice if the driver moves the steering wheel, thus automatically deactivating the system’s lateral control function. When the 40 km/h mark is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the system smoothly disengages.

For the Traffic Jam Assistant feature, the Mercedes engineers supplemented the tried and tested DISTRONIC PLUS with proximity radar sensor by adding the “eyes” of a stereo camera. The camera and the electronic system monitor and analyze the area in front of the vehicle out to a distance of about 50 meters. The camera recognizes lane markings as well as the vehicle in front, which is also measured in terms of its position and width. As long as the vehicle in front is moving within its lane, the F 800 Style follows the vehicle by means of the measurement data from the camera. But should the driver in front move out of the lane or initiate a turn to the right or left, the assistance system limits the lateral control function to keep the F 800 Style in its own lane. In heavy traffic the Traffic Jam Assistant significantly boosts the driver’s comfort by reducing the stress of driving. The system thus contributes to the further improvement of active safety because the driver can remain alert longer and retain the ability to react quickly.

PRE-SAFE 360° improves safety in rear-end collisions

While the Traffic Jam Assistant heightens active safety, simply because the driver is able to stay alert longer, the innovative protective system known as PRE-SAFE 360° further improves passive safety. PRE-SAFE 360° was realized for the first time in the ESF 2009 experimental safety vehicle from Mercedes-Benz, which was a world first, and it is also being used in the F 800 Style. It is based on the well-known PRE‑SAFE® system presented by Mercedes-Benz in 2002. If PRE‑SAFE® recognizes a critical driving situation, the system activates occupant protection measures in advance.

The enhanced PRE-SAFE 360° monitors not only what is on either side of the vehicle, but also the area behind the vehicle. The system uses short-range and multimode sensors to monitor the area of up to 60 meters behind the vehicle. If the system for early recognition of accidents determines that a collision is unavoidable, the brakes are activated about 600 milliseconds before the impact.

Braking a stationary vehicle that is hit in the rear helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that result when such a vehicle is hit and catapulted in an uncontrolled manner into an intersection or a pedestrian crossing. This application of the brakes can also reduce the severity of possible injuries to the passengers’ cervical vertebrae because the vehicle, and therefore the occupants’ bodies, are subjected to a lower acceleration. The driver always retains control in a vehicle fitted with PRE-SAFE 360°, however. For example, the brake is immediately released if the driver hits the gas pedal knowing that there is sufficient space in front of his or her own vehicle to avoid the rear impact.

The protective effect of PRE-SAFE 360° supports that of the NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints. As soon as the sensors detect a rear-end impact of a predefined severity, the system releases pre-tensioned springs inside the head restraints. These move the padded surface of the head restraints slightly forward and upward within milliseconds, thus supporting the driver’s and front passenger’s heads sooner than conventional head restraints.

Rear pivot-and-slide doors ensure maximum entry comfort

A particularly customer-friendly innovation of the F 800 Style is its rear doors. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillar as normal and open toward the front, the rear doors slide backward when opened.

The Mercedes-Benz engineers created an entirely new opening mechanism for the F 800 Style: Each rear door is suspended from an interior swivel arm mounted on the C-pillar. When the pivot-and-slide door is opened, it is moved away from the body a little by means of a mechanically coupled kinematic system of translation and rotation and then glides back.

Because the rear doors slide back close to the vehicle body and the front doors are comparatively compact, it is much easier to get into and out of the automobile in tight parking spaces. Dispensing with a B-pillar makes the entire space between the A-pillar and the C-pillar freely accessible when the doors are open, and the big opening gives the passengers maximum freedom of movement. The front and rear doors can be opened entirely independently of one another. There are two locks interlocking the front doors, one installed up on the roof frame and another below on the sills. The pivot-and-slide doors are locked by means of a central lock in the rear and in the front sections of the doors with corresponding slotted guides.

The highest level of crash safety even with reduced body weight

Thanks to the optimized body design, both variants of the F 800 Style also meet the highest safety standards. Despite the fact that the design does not feature a B‑pillar, the research car’s lightweight body structure is very stable and torsionally rigid. The Mercedes engineers achieved the mix of high load-bearing capacity and effective lightweight design by means of intelligent hybrid-metal construction using high-strength steels in combination with extruded aluminum components.

In addition, very rigid (sandwich) compound components with lightweight aluminum honeycomb cores were used for the underbody and the transmission tunnel. The weight- and crash-optimized modules are designed to accommodate drive system and storage components. For example, the two hydrogen tanks of the F 800 Style with fuel-cell drive, which are installed lengthwise, one above the other, save space and are well protected in the stable transmission tunnel.

Successful transfer from research to series production

Mercedes-Benz has presented 13 research vehicles since the early 1980s. The range of fascinating and pioneering automobiles that was unveiled – beginning with Auto 2000 in 1981 and leading up to today’s F 800 – offers proof of the consistency and foresight with which Mercedes-Benz engineers address the core issues of research and technology in order to develop innovative solutions for the future.

Many systems that were first used in research vehicles and viewed as revolutionary at the time can now be found in production cars, including the DISTRONIC proximity-controlled cruise control system, which was first installed in the F 100 in 1991 and made its series production debut in the S-Class in 1998. Active Body Control, which is found today in the CL-, S- and SL-Classes, is another example of the successful transfer of technology from research vehicles to series production cars, as are the windowbag and the cornering light function. The F 500 Mind served as the model for the further development of hybrid power. The vehicle combined the V8 diesel engine of an S‑Class with an electric motor. At the time, this duo formed the most high-performance, highest-torque hybrid drive system for rear-wheel drive passenger cars.

The immediate predecessor of the new F 800 Style – the F 700 presented in 2007 at the IAA in Frankfurt – is the world’s first car that can register road conditions in advance and compensate for bumps and potholes by means of its active PRE-SCAN chassis, which ensures further significant improvement of suspension comfort. Another technological highlight is the pioneering DIESOTTO drive presented in the F 700. The four-cylinder engine with only 1.8 liters of displacement combines the strengths of the low-emission gasoline engine and the low fuel consumption of the diesel. Its CO2 emissions of a mere 127 grams per kilometer correspond to consumption of only 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers.

The F 800 Style is continuing this approach. Like its predecessors, the model features key drive, comfort, and safety system innovations, as well as an emotional design, all of which point the way forward for series production of future Mercedes-Benz vehicles that will continue to impressively combine fascination and responsibility.

Mercedes-Benz’ F 800 Style research vehicle is showing the future of premium automobiles from a new perspective, as the five-seat upper-range sedan combines highly efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features and an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling in line with the brand’s hallmark attribute of cultivated sportiness. The F 800 Style has a spacious interior full of intelligent seating, operating, and display concepts. Another unparalleled feature for a large sedan worldwide is an all-new multi drive platform, which is suited for electric drives with fuel cells (enabling ranges of almost 600 kilometers) as well as the use of Plug-in Hybrids that can drive for up to 30 kilometers solely on electricity. Both variants of the F 800 Style therefore make locally emission-free mobility possible at the level of a premium-class automobile, while at the same time being fully suited for everyday driving and providing a dynamic driving experience.

“We are dedicated to reconciling our responsibility for the environment with practical customer utility in a fascinating automobile,” says Dr. Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new F 800 Style research vehicle combines this commitment to providing the leading innovative drive concepts with our traditional Mercedes strengths in the areas of design, safety, comfort, and outstanding performance.”

A glance into the future of pioneering upper-range sedans

Within the 4.75-meter external length of the F 800 Style, all of the components of the vehicle’s especially efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drives (Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell drive system) are installed in a space-saving manner in the engine compartment and the gaps within the chassis. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space for the installation. This applies in particular to the electric drive with fuel cell, which has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz to be compact and powerful. The front end’s compact package was made possible through the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers lots of room for five occupants.

“For many decades now, our research vehicles have been turning pioneering concepts into reality and thereby setting future trends. We set a course on the large touring sedan segment in 2007, when we presented the F 700,” says Prof. Herbert Kohler, Head of E-Drive & Future Mobility and Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler.

“Characteristic features of the F 800 Style are its innovations, whose development is already close to the series production stage. This is true not only of the electric drive with fuel cells but also of the Plug-in Hybrid, whose components were taken from our modular system for electric and hybrid vehicles.”

F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid: Outstanding performance despite emissions of only 68 grams CO2 per kilometer

In combination with the very powerful Plug-in Hybrid drive system, the F 800 Style is a very dynamic expression of the concept of “fascination and responsibility.” Its drive unit consists of a V6 gasoline engine with an output of approximately 220 kW (300 hp) with next-generation direct injection and a hybrid module with an output of about 80 kW (109 hp) so that it delivers a total power of around 300 kW (409 hp). The lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of >10 kWh can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket. Thanks to its powerful and high-torque hybrid module, in the city the F 800 Style can run exclusively on electricity and therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it also has a high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle has the same driving performance as a car with a V6 gasoline engine even when operating in electric mode. The F 800 Style with the Plug-in Hybrid can run purely on electricity for up to 30 kilometers. The F 800 Style research vehicle therefore marks a further important step in the creation of a market-ready Plug-in Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz will begin series production of the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid with the introduction of the next-generation S-Class.

Due to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of only 2.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This corresponds to extremely low CO2 emissions of only 68 grams per kilometer. However, thanks to its outstanding efficiency, the F 800 Style equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid nevertheless has a driving performance comparable to a sports car (0-100 km/h in 4.8 s, top speed of 250 km/h). When in electric mode, the F 800 Style has a top speed of 120 km/h, and can thus also meet the needs associated with long-distance driving.

As is the case with the Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID introduced in the summer of 2009 and the Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid, the especially powerful electric module (approx. 80 kW) of the F 800 Style is completely integrated into the housing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission. The lithium-ion battery in the new research vehicle is located underneath the rear seat, where it takes up little space, creates a low center of gravity, and ensures maximum safety in the event of a crash.

The electric drive components in the F 800 Style with the Plug-in Hybrid once again demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz’ extensively scalable modular hybrid system. The hybrid system can be expanded in various ways, depending on performance needs and the area of application. On this basis, it is possible to combine hybrid modules and batteries of different performance ratings with fuel-efficient, high-torque gasoline and diesel engines. Examples range from the current mild hybrids all the way to Plug-in Hybrids that enable exclusively electric driving over long distances. In developing the F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid, the Mercedes engineers particularly focused on improving the possibilities of driving exclusively with electricity in urban traffic. Thanks to high power reserves, the F 800 Style in e-mode easily masters all kinds of city traffic while producing no local emissions. With the new hybrid module, the top speed of the F 800 Style with Plug-in Hybrid has been increased to 120 km/h in electric mode compared to the Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid. At the same time, it emits only 68 grams of CO2 per kilometer, compared to the latter vehicle’s 74 grams per kilometer.

Flexible, secure, and fully suited to everyday use: The F 800 Style with electric drive and fuel cell technology

The F 800 Style also offers clean driving pleasure in the variant equipped with an electric drive based on fuel cell technology. The vehicle’s electric motor develops around 100 kW (136 hp) as well as a strong torque of approximately 290 Nm. The fuel cell generates the traction current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen onboard the vehicle, producing water vapor in the process as the only emission.

The components of the fuel cell drive are taken from the range of e-drive modules, which Mercedes-Benz developed for a variety of different electric vehicles. These components, which are already being installed in the limited edition B-Class F-CELL, can be flexibly used and are suited for a variety of different drive configurations. The F 800 Style is an example of this, as it uses rear-wheel drive, in contrast to the B-Class F-CELL. The same components are also installed in commercial vehicles, with developments here being spearheaded by the new Citaro fuel cell bus, which is equipped with two of the F-CELL systems used in passenger cars.

The new Mercedes-Benz research vehicle has the fuel cell located in the front, while the compact electric motor is installed near the rear axle. The lithium-ion battery is located behind the rear seats and is protected as well as possible against the effects of accidents, as are the four hydrogen tanks. Two of the tanks are located in the transmission tunnel between the passengers, while the other two are underneath the rear seat.

F 800 Style with further innovations for more comfort and safety

In addition to a multi drive platform that is unparalleled for large sedans and the combination of different alternative drive technologies, the F 800 Style features many other technological innovations, such as a new operating and display concept and a human-machine interface (HMI) with a cam touchpad. The display shows many additional functions not found in conventional instrument clusters. The F 800 Style’s operation and display concept focuses for the first time primarily on electric driving functions.

HMI with cam touchpad for intuitive and precise operation

The new cam touchpad HMI is an intelligent system expansion for COMAND. For many years now, Mercedes-Benz has been forging ahead with the development of innovative operating and display systems. A particularly user-friendly innovation is being presented in the F 800 Style. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the center console and a camera that records video images of the user’s hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form in the central display above the console. The user sees the contours of his or her fingers glide across the image without covering anything, thus ensuring that all of the functions of the currently used menu remain visible so that they can be easily operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad. Pressing the display with one’s fingers generates a feeling similar to that of touching laptop keys so that users know when they are carrying out specific actions.

The cam touchpad HMI unit recognizes finger movements on the pad surface such as wiping, pushing, turning, and zooming, thus enabling intuitive regulation of the climate control system, telephone, stereo and navigation systems, and Internet access. The unit enhances active safety as well, because it is extremely easy and convenient to use and therefore does not distract the motorist as much from the actual task of driving. And unlike conventional touchscreens, the HMI cam touchpad does not get smudged with fingerprints.

Conventional touchpad units generally depict hand or finger positions only by a small point in the display. Their lack of precision makes it very risky to enter information while driving, because doing so diverts the motorist’s attention too much from the road. By contrast, the HMI with cam touchpad can be easily and safely operated even while driving. Test persons have confirmed that the HMI with cam touchpad is extremely easy and safe to use, particularly as a result of the transparent depiction of the hand.

Range on Map: Graphic range depiction during electric operation

Another very user-friendly innovation created by the Mercedes engineers is the Range on Map function, which shows the remaining possible travel radius during electric vehicle operation as a 360° depiction on a map. Should municipalities only permit purely electric automobile traffic in the future, the driver can determine whether the electric range of his or her vehicle is sufficient for the journey into and out of the urban area by means of the Range on Map function. The system provides this function by combining information on the current battery charge level with data from the navigation system.

In the new operating and display concept, Mercedes-Benz has created a solution that provides an unparalleled amount of information in a system of exemplary clarity. The engineers have thus achieved the goal of successfully developing a comprehensive yet easy-to-operate information and control system for future automobiles equipped with electric or partially electric drive systems. A further-developed version of the system can be set up to also display recharging stations.

Mirror display is easy on the eyes

The mirror display of the innovative cam touchpad HMI eliminates the differences between close proximity visibility and visibility over longer distances, thus contributing to the driver’s physiological safety in a manner typical of Mercedes. The system displays driving and vehicle information via a mirror in the instrument cluster so that they appear to be farther away. The distance the eye looks into is thus extended, which means less switching between near and far focus – and therefore less fatigue – for the eyes.

New DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assistant further reduces the stress of driving

Back in 2006, Mercedes-Benz introduced DISTRONIC PLUS, the world’s first proximity and speed control system that operates even when the car is standing still. The system substantially reduces the stress for drivers in dense traffic, as it regulates the distance from the vehicle in front even at very low speeds all the way down to a standstill. With its new DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assistant feature in the F 800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has also become the world’s first automaker to implement a system that is also capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it into curves. The system recognizes the difference between driving along curving roads and turning, which means it does not “blindly” follow the vehicle up in front – for example, when it changes lanes in order to exit the highway.

The result is that at speeds of up to about 40 km/h, the Traffic Jam Assistant function takes care of both longitudinal and transverse movements so that drivers do not have to steer themselves. The driver can just sit back and relax – with hands on the steering wheel. When the 40 km/h mark is exceeded, the steering torque that keeps the vehicle in its lane is gradually reduced to a point at which the Traffic Jam Assistant smoothly disengages. Drivers can, of course, override the system at any time. Sensitive sensors notice active steering movements, thus automatically deactivating the system’s lateral control function.

“The DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assistant is the logical continuation of the Mercedes-Benz assistance and safety philosophy. With it, we are setting another milestone on the path toward creating innovative systems, with which we will further enhance the high driving comfort that is a hallmark of Mercedes,” says Prof. Bharat Balasubramanian, Head of Product Innovations & Process Technologies at Group Research and Advanced Engineering.

The required data is generated by radar distance sensors that are supplemented by a stereo camera.

PRE-SAFE 360° improves safety in rear-end collisions

While the Traffic Jam Assistant heightens comfort and active safety, the innovative protective system known as PRE-SAFE 360° further improves passive safety. PRE-SAFE 360° is based on the proactive occupant protection system PRE‑SAFE® developed by Mercedes-Benz. Unlike the previous system, PRE-SAFE 360° also monitors the area behind the vehicle. As a result, the system engages the brakes around 600 milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision occurs. The key advantage of this system is that braking a stationary vehicle that is hit in the rear helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that occur when the car is catapulted uncontrolled into an intersection or a pedestrian crossing. It goes without saying that PRE-SAFE 360° also allows the driver to take control at any time. For example, the brake is immediately released if the driver hits the gas pedal knowing that there is sufficient space in front of his or her own vehicle to avoid the rear impact.

Rear pivot-and-slide doors ensure maximum entry comfort

A particularly customer-friendly innovation of the F 800 Style is its rear doors. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillar in a conventional manner and open wide toward the front, the rear doors slide backward when opened, as they are suspended from an interior swivel arm. Because the doors slide back close to the vehicle body, occupants find it much easier to get into and out of the automobile in tight parking spaces.

The F 800 Style also has no B-pillar, making the entire space between the A and C-pillars completely accessible when the doors are opened. Despite the lack of a B-pillar, the F 800 Style boasts a bodyshell that is both extremely robust and lightweight, and that meets the stringent demands for crash safety that are a hallmark of the Mercedes brand.

Reinterpretation of the typical Mercedes-Benz design idiom

The F 800 Style is both a technology package and a showcar. This research vehicle was created through close cooperation between technical research and advanced engineering departments and the advanced design studios in Sindelfingen, Germany and Como, Italy. Its exterior appearance is marked by a long wheelbase, short body overhangs, and a sensually flowing roof line.

“The exciting coupe-like roof line, and in general the vehicle’s balanced proportions, lend it a stylish sporty look that reinterprets the Mercedes-Benz design idiom and emphasizes the sculptural character of the F 800 Style,” says Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Prof. Gorden Wagener. “The result is a harmonious blend of innovative form and function, which conveys a sense of great styling and authority.”

Front end with distinctive LED headlights

The vehicle’s front end features a variation of the radiator grille with the centrally placed brand star that is typical of Mercedes sports cars. The curved radiator grille bars softly flow around the tube holding the Mercedes-Benz brand star. Along with the wide radiator grille and the generously curved air intake openings, the model’s unique bright LED headlights emphasize the dynamic nature of the research vehicle. The headlights are divided into individual segments for daytime running lights, turn signal indicators, and primary headlights. The F 800 Style’s taillights are also equipped with state-of-the-art LED units that enable an exciting interplay of indirect illumination and direct beams. The result is an attractive, unmistakable, and memorable visual effect.

Wood and light create a cozy interior

Precious wood surfaces and lots of light ensure a high level of comfort in the interior of the F 800 Style. Occupants will immediately notice the modern sense of lightness, and functional elements such as the driver area and the door armrests seem to float in space like sculptures. The innovative lightweight-construction seats in the F 800 Style consist of a magnesium shell and a carbon fiber laminate seatback across which a fine yet resistant netting is stretched. The seat shell also features genuine wood veneer. For the wood veneer process, Mercedes-Benz engineers used a 3D surface coating procedure designed especially for the veneering of three-dimensional surfaces. This same procedure was used to create the wood finishing in the center console, on the doors, and in the driver area. These wood finishing pieces are molded as 3D laminated components and are augmented by an aluminum core, which ensures that the components meet the high crash safety standards that are a hallmark of Mercedes.

Successful transfer from research to series production

Mercedes-Benz has presented 13 research vehicles since the early 1980s. The range of fascinating and pioneering automobiles that was unveiled – beginning with Auto 2000 in 1981 and leading up to today’s F 800 Style – offers proof of the consistency and foresight with which Mercedes-Benz engineers address the core issues of research and technology in order to develop innovative solutions for the future. Many systems that were first used in research vehicles and viewed as revolutionary at the time can now be found in Mercedes-Benz production cars, including the DISTRONIC proximity-controlled cruise control, which was first installed in the F 100 in 1991 and made its series production debut in the S-Class in 1998.

The F 800 Style is continuing this approach. Like its predecessors, the model features key drive, comfort, and safety system innovations, as well as an avant-garde design, all of which point the way forward for the series production of future Mercedes-Benz vehicles that will continue to impressively combine fascination and responsibility.

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.

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.

In 1994, the NECAR 1, the world’s first vehicle fitted with an electric drive with fuel cells was launched. Since then, Mercedes-Benz has made enormous progress in developing this technology: local zero-emission fuel cell vehicles have performed superbly in test fleets. In 2009, Mercedes‑Benz took the decisive step towards mass production of the electric drive with fuel cells as it started to manufacture the B‑Class F‑CELL under series production conditions.

1999 – The NECAR 4 managed for the first time to house a 70-kW/95-hp electric drive with fuel cells including the tank entirely in the sandwich floor of the A‑Class. The research vehicle was powered by compressed hydrogen and had a range of 200 kilometres.

2003 – The first of 30 fuel cell urban buses based on the Mercedes-Benz Citaro went into regular service in Madrid and Stuttgart. Other European cities as well as Perth (Australia) and Beijing were to follow. By 2006 all the vehicles had clocked up over two million zero-emission kilometres in around 135,000 operating hours.

2004 – Mercedes-Benz handed over ten fuel cell cars to customers in Berlin. The A‑Class F‑CELL filled up with hydrogen at the public filling station run by the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP).

2009 – Mercedes-Benz unveiled its near-series Concept BlueZERO study, a modular drive concept for electric vehicles with a battery-electric drive system, with fuel cells, and with an electric motor and additional combustion engine as a range extender.

2009 – Mercedes-Benz produced the first fuel cell vehicles under series production conditions with the small production series of the B‑Class F‑CELL. Thanks to 700-bar high-pressure hydrogen technology the range of the 100-kW/136-hp vehicle, which is suited for everyday use, was extended to around 400 kilometres.

Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicles have already demonstrated their day-to-day suitability, including in large-scale field-trials. With more than 100 test vehicles and a combined total of over 4.5 million kilometres of trial testing, the company boasts the most extensive experience with fuel cell-based electric drive systems of any manufacturer worldwide. However, certain challenges still need to be overcome, including a nationwide network of hydrogen filling stations, before local zero-emission motoring can become a widespread reality.

Mercedes-Benz can fall back on its extensive experience in fuel cell technology: since 1994 the Stuttgart-based car maker has been conducting research into the use of the electric drive with fuel cells in the motor car, thus building up outstanding technology know-how. Some 180 registered patents in the field of fuel cell technology are testimony to the company’s pioneering work. As part of various large-scale field tests involving fuel cell vehicles, 100 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, buses and vans have been in daily use on the road with customers and have already clocked up over 4.5 million kilometres. Such tests provide important insights for the further development of the local zero-emission drive system – also in relation to user behaviour when utilising the new technology.

Joint initiatives promote infrastructure

Daimler AG reached a significant milestone in terms of a sufficient supply of hydrogen in September 2009 by joining forces with EnBW, Linde, OMV, Shell, Total, Vattenfall and NOW GmbH (Nationale Organisation Wasserstoff- und Brennstoffzellentechnologie). In a memorandum of understanding the partners agreed to a plan to set up a filling station network in two phases. Phase I will examine various options for setting up a nationwide hydrogen filling station network as well as developing a joint, economically viable business concept. The aim is also to develop concepts for setting up new, additional hydrogen filling stations by 2011. If the business continues to perform well, the partners will then implement a suitable action plan in Phase II. This forms the basis for the nationwide roll-out of a hydrogen filling station network. This initiative receives funding as part of the German government’s Recovery Package II. Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation/Opel, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, the joint venture Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation agreed previously in a letter of understanding to commercialise fuel cell vehicles from 2015 onwards.

Daimler AG has been committed to promoting this important issue for many years, reflected in its participation in joint projects, cooperation with government agencies, power utilities and oil companies in places such as Hamburg, Stuttgart and California. The City of Hamburg has become the centre for local zero-emission mobility on the basis of the electric drive with fuel cells. In the spring, the City teamed up with Daimler, Shell, Total and Vattenfall Europe to launch a major project for the use of passenger cars and buses using fuel cell technology. From the end of 2010 the first of a total of ten latest-generation fuel cell buses will be on the roads in Hamburg. They will be joined by 20 B‑Class F‑CELL vehicles. By 2014 a total of four hydrogen filling stations should be up and running. The aim of the joint initiative is to promote the development of a zero-emission vehicle fleet and the associated infrastructure. In cooperation with Linde AG and Daimler AG, OMV turned its Stuttgart Airport site into the first public hydrogen filling station in Baden-Württemberg in June 2009. In the USA, Daimler AG is promoting fuel cell technology in the car as part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Hydrogen as an energy source

A decisive advantage of electric vehicles with a fuel cell drive system is that they generate zero emissions locally. Just how much CO2 is generated during hydrogen production depends on the form of energy or the process used. The bulk of the hydrogen required today is generated by means of a steam reforming process. Natural gas and water vapour are processed in the steam reformer at high temperatures to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the first instance. The following step involves converting the carbon monoxide component into carbon dioxide and hydrogen through the addition of steam. The highly efficient fuel cell means the overall CO2 emissions of 20 to 30 percent are already well below those for ultra-modern diesel vehicles.

Furthermore, hydrogen can also be easily produced from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. This allows hydrogen to be produced by means of electrolysis, as well as through the use of biomass. The synthesis gas (essentially carbon monoxide and hydrogen) produced in the initial process stage is converted into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. As the proportion of renewable energy is increased, so the process moves ever closer to an entirely CO2-neutral energy chain.

Combustion engine remains the most important drive system

Mercedes-Benz sees the development of electric vehicles with battery and fuel cell for tomorrow’s local zero-emission driving as a way of supplementing the extremely clean, economical BlueEFFICIENCY models and hybrid vehicles already available. However, a range of limiting factors still exists, such as system costs and infrastructure, as well as range and performance for battery-driven vehicles in particular, when it comes to smooth, comfortable operation. Advanced diesel and petrol engines will remain important for automotive applications for a long time to come – not only for individual mobility in passenger cars – especially over long distances – but, more importantly, for freight transport in trucks. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, will increasingly be used in urban transport. Consequently, Mercedes-Benz has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of solutions. And as part of this strategy the combustion engine will continue to play a crucial role. Despite enormous progress, the electric car – whether powered by a fuel cell or a battery – cannot completely replace vehicles powered by a combustion engine over the short-term.