Daimler AG is pushing ahead with the transformation to emission-free mobility. Sustainability is one of the key elements of Daimler’s corporate strategy and at the same time a benchmark for corporate success. The future Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Ola Källenius, who is currently still responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development as a member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, presented the targets for the car division under the heading “Ambition2039” at a press event. Below you will find the speech abstract of Ola Källenius.

“Ambition2039” as concrete milestone of a holistic, sustainable corporate strategy Mercedes-Benz Cars;EQC 400 4MATIC: Combined electric energy consumption: 20.8 – 19.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km*; *Electric energy consumption and range have been determined on the basis of Regulation (EC) No. 692/2008. Electric energy consumption and range depend on the vehicle configuration.

“First Move the World” – that’s our purpose at Mercedes-Benz Cars. That’s the deeper meaning of our work, what drives us, our “why”. “First Move the World” means going for more than just immediate objectives. This inner unrest for what’s next is part of our company’s DNA. Therefore, it’s also a cornerstone of the new sustainable business strategy we are currently working on. Although this strategy has several dimensions, one of the defining issues is how we address our CO₂ footprint. At Mercedes-Benz we strive for the best and our customers expect us to deliver sustainable and fascinating mobility. So, one of the key questions we are addressing is this: What are we doing to make sure our customers can switch to carbon-neutral mobility in the future? The answer is our “Ambition2039”:

We aim to have a carbon-neutral new passenger car fleet in 20 years Let’s be clear what this means for us: a fundamental transformation of our company within less than three product cycles. That’s not much time when you consider that fossil fuels have dominated our business since the invention of the car by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler some 130 years ago. But as a company founded by engineers, we believe technology can also help to engineer a better future. Our way to sustainable mobility is innovation – in a holistic approach along the entire value chain.

We want to offer our customers a carbon-neutral driving experience Today in Oslo, at the press test drive of our Mercedes-Benz EQC (combined electric energy consumption: 20.8 – 19.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂emissions: 0 g/km*), we are introducing the first of an entire generation of electric Mercedes models. By 2030 we aim to have electric models make up more than half of our car sales – that includes all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. We will continue to offer our customers performance and luxury from Mercedes. At the same time we want to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions per vehicle. Our R&D team is working together with established partners and startups alike to bring EV performance up and costs down. Our approach also includes the continuous development of our mobility services, to spread the use of electric models. In addition to cars, we’re also electrifying our vans, trucks and buses. And the modular development enables the rapid transfer of technology between our divisions. Our current focus is on battery-electric mobility. But there’s also room and need to continue to work on other solutions, for example, the fuel cell or eFuels. Our GLC F-CELL (combined hydrogen consumption: 0.34 kg/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km, combined power consumption: 13.7 kWh/100 km**) is one proof point. This technology will also find use in our city buses. Today, no one knows for sure which drivetrain mix will best serve our customers’ needs 20 years from now. That’s why we encourage policy makers to pave the way for tech neutrality: Let’s fix the target, but not the means to achieve it.

We strive for carbon-neutral production Our Factory 56 is the blueprint: This new addition to our Sindelfingen plant uses renewable energy and will be CO₂-neutral from the start. Next, all of our European plants will follow by 2022. Our new production site in Jawor, Poland, shows how sustainability and cost efficiency go together: Not only does wind power make production greener, it also makes it more economical at this site than possible with conventional power. Electricity from renewable sources will also be used for production of the EQC at our plant in Bremen and our battery production in Kamenz, Saxony. A holistic view on carbon cutting also includes the recycling of raw materials. Mercedes cars have a potential recycling ratio of 85 percent. So, we are moving from a value chain to a value cycle.

We will drive our supply chain to follow our ambition Driving our suppliers and partners to comply with our objective of carbon-neutrality is important to us. The starting point is in creating transparency. To this end we are working with organizations like CDP to assess the environmental impact of our supply chain. Next, we are currently conducting workshops with suppliers to identify effective CO₂ reduction measures. Our goal is to establish CO₂ targets as one key criteria in making supplier decisions and contracts across all major commodities.

We inspire our customers for carbon-neutral mobility and enable access to emission free drivingElectricity in the life cycle of an electric car is – in some regions – a very significant source of CO₂ depending on how it’s generated. We want to inspire our customers to charge their green vehicles with green energy. With Mercedes Me Charge, for example, we enable drivers to conveniently charge their cars at various public charging stations in Europe, wherever possible with energy from renewable sources. But the transformation to a sustainable mobility of the future will only succeed if the auto industry, energy suppliers and policy makers are working hand in hand. It requires massive investments and tangible action also beyond the auto sector. Carbon-neutral energy and a comprehensive infrastructure are indispensable for this system change. And we are open to a discussion on effective CO₂ pricing as well as incentives for low/ no carbon technology – preferably on a global scale.

We mean it To us the Paris Agreement is more than an obligation – it’s our conviction. And we have set a clear course to help prevent further acceleration of climate change. However, this transformation is a huge challenge – technologically and financially. After all, we want to make sustainable mobility even more exciting, not more expensive. And of course this is also about sustainable business results. How do we deal with this? One way would be to shy away and just try to safeguard the status quo. But that would not serve our purpose – and certainly not our future. So, we prefer doing what our founders have done: They became system architects of a new mobility without horses. Today, our task is individual mobility without emissions.

And again, it takes technology and determination. To underline that we mean it, part of the compensation of our board of management is linked to the achievement of our sustainability goals – including our CO₂ footprint. We’ll all have to get out of our comfort zones to find new ways to move forward. We’re seeking close alignment with our workforce and their representatives on this path. This transformation is the task of our generation and I’m absolutely confident: We have the right team to deliver. This strategy will help us stay in a leading position in the auto industry.

Tesla Motors is really making an impact on the luxury car market by being the only reliable source for all-electric luxury cars. This obviously has the current mass market luxury automakers pretty ruffled and is the reason why companies like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are moving more towards electrification and alternative powertrains.

Mercedes-Benz wants to double-down on its EV efforts to “overtake Audi and BMW”

Mercedes however seems to be lagging behind the competition, relying more on the traditional internal combustion engine to keep the reliable and dependable cars going into hands of demanding customers.

But the pressure is building, and Daimler’s CEO, Dieter Zetsche, said he plans to move the company more towards EV development.

“We are adjusting our planning in this field. It is very important to get the right timing. As a tendency, and as a trend, we have become more bullish in that regard,” Zetsche told AutomotiveNews Europe.

So far, Mercedes-Benz supposedly has some big things to reveal for their plan at the Paris Motor Show in October, with speculation suggesting the display of a new EV concept, promising a driving range of up to 500 kilmoeters, or 310 miles. The concept is also on the roster for production, meaning it could be spotted in showrooms as early as 2020.
Mercedes so far has shifted nearly $7.2 billion in R&D towards electric vehicles in 2015, a figure that’s up from $6.3 billion in 2014.

Source: egmCarTech

In order to comply with the legal provisions going into effect in 2017, Mercedes-Benz will equip its vehicles with air conditioning systems that meet all the relevant performance and safety requirements. The Stuttgart-based automobile manufacturer will exceed the EU’s climate protection requirements. From 2017, it will offer in Europe the S- and E-Class as the first production passenger cars equipped with CO2 air conditioning systems. These completely newly developed systems are based on the DIN specifications defined by the automotive standards committee of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). Thanks to their especially quickly available and high cooling performance, CO2 air conditioning systems swiftly provide for a pleasant feel-good climate inside vehicles even in very hot weather. In combination with their high environmental compatibility, this makes them the sustainable premium solution among air conditioning systems.
Sophisticated new development with potential

Mercedes-Benz to equip first vehicle models with CO2 air conditioning systems

The use of CO2 as a refrigerant necessitates the redesign of crucial components. CO2 air conditioning systems operate at a pressure of more than 100 bar – some ten times higher than that of today’s systems. This means that all components including the hoses and seals need to be redesigned. Mercedes-Benz has drafted corresponding standards together with all German automobile manufacturers and numerous suppliers in the automotive standards committee of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The publicly accessible DIN specification documents also offer other companies an opportunity to quickly launch development activities of their own. This would create the prerequisites for swift market penetration by this high-tech air conditioning system. Mercedes-Benz has assumed a pioneering role in this respect. It is the first automobile manufacturer to award not only development contracts but also to place production orders for CO2 air conditioning systems and their components.

Next stage of the EU directive takes effect in 2017

Despite the exceptionally short time frame, the high level of quality targeted by Mercedes-Benz for CO2 air conditioning systems has already been realised in the new development for the company’s top models. Deployment throughout the entire vehicle fleet will not be feasible by the effective date of the new EU directive on 1 January 2017. In order to also meet the EU requirements on schedule for all other model series, the company has developed safe and reliable solutions for the use of a synthetic refrigerant, which is used throughout the entire automotive industry.
Apart from CO2, R1234yf is the only refrigerant produced on an industrial scale to date with which the future requirements of the EU directive for air conditioning systems in new vehicles can be met. The new directive stipulates a limit of 150 for the global warming potential (GWP) index.

Mercedes-Benz to equip first vehicle models with CO2 air conditioning systems

The R1234yf refrigerant is known to have different flammability properties than the R134a refrigerant used in the industry to date. In order to ensure a continued high standard of safety for its customers in the future, Mercedes-Benz has carried out extensive testing on all its vehicle models.

The result is a comprehensive package of vehicle’s specific measures in order to guarantee Mercedes-Benz’ high safety standards for the models using the R1234yf refrigerant.

In particular, these include a specially developed protective system tailored to the given vehicle configuration. In the event of a severe frontal collision, the patent-pending system ensures that the resultant refrigerant/air mixture is separated from the hot engine components in the engine compartment and that these components are furthermore cooled in a highly effective manner. This is made possible by a gas generator, which releases inert argon gas specifically at the relevant hot spots. This effectively keeps the mixture from bursting into flames.

As a result, this solution ensures that customers’ justifiable safety needs and Mercedes-Benz’s high safety standards will continue to be met in the future. At the same time, it also provides the company with another means of helping to protect the climate.

Mercedes-Benz has been a long time friend and title sponsor of world explorer Mike Horn and his PANGAEA Project for years. Over the last 4 years, Horn has taken advantage of his position by traveling the world with his PANGAEA sailboat to bring social and ecological projects to life during various expeditions.  The video  from AMG and the photos form Mike Horn himself show a small bit of what the PANGAEA Project has seen.

What is the PANGAEA Project and who is Mike Horn?

Mike Horn is often acknowledged as the greatest explorer of our time. His adventures extend the boundaries of human achievement and environmental awareness. His latest endeavor is The PANGAEA Project and Young Explorers Program.

The PANGAEA Project is: A 4-year circumnavigation of the world through a series of 12-scheduled expeditions each to different terrain including mountain, desert, ocean and arctic snow. For each Pangaea expedition, Mike and his team select students between the ages of 15 and 20 to accompany him.

The expedition is named Pangaea after the supercontinent that existed 250 million years ago. It represents the objective of ONE WORLD which Mike Horn and his Young Explorers set out by land and see to Explore, Learn and Act.

The project has covered over 100,000 miles, reaching the North and South Poles and crossing all the continents and oceans. Mike Horn’s mission aims to unite the continents again with a powerful environmental message of conservation and preservation. During each leg of the expedition Mike Horn and the young explorers seek to understand the interaction between man, nature and the elements.

Mike Horn’s vessel — also named PANGAEA — is a Mercedes-Benz double-master measuring 35 meters (115 feet) in length and serves as one of the world’s largest and most versatile expedition sailboats. The hull is made from recyclable aluminum.

The first group of Young Explorers joined Mike in Antarctica in January of 2009, the second group in New Zealand in May of the same year. In 2010, Mike Horn and three groups of Young Explorers traveled to Malaysia, India and the Himalayas, respectively. This year, the three more expeditions pushed off to Mongolia, Kamchatka and the Magnetic North Pole.

Mike Horn and his team are always searching for high school pupils or college students who would be interested in joining him on the next phase of this program.

If selected, the young explorers are flown out at the expedition’s expense to to join Pangaea for two week period. When they return to their communities full of knowledge regarding endemic obstacles and possible solutions, they are expected to bear responsibility in sharing the message with their local communities and peers.

Potential candidates who apply to join Mike Horn’s Pangaea Expedition will be invited to visit Chateau d’Oex, Switzerland — Mike Horn World Headquarters — in the Swiss Alps for a training and selection camp, costs for which will also be paid by the expedition. This includes intensive courses on the technological, environmental, physical, medical and communication skills required to prepare the participants to meet the challenges of the expedition. All workshops and outings are run by experienced and professional instructors. The tasks included map work, sailing, paragliding, physical tests, glacier walking, climbing and abseiling.

For more information on Mike Horn and the Pangaea project, please visit www.mikehorn.com.

Everyone has heard of the G-Class — an icon of style and design since more than 30 years. The Ener-G-Force, designed by Mercedes-Benz Advanced Designers for the LA Desgin Challege is a police car of the future based on the G-Class.  A more rounded and sophisticated design, the Ener-G-Force gives us a glimpse at what we may be able to expect from future Mercedes-Benz designs across the board.

“The Ener-G-Force is the vision of an off-roader that, while reflecting tomorrow’s adventures, also invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road icon, the G model. Modern and cool, it could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz”, said Gorden Wagener, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Mercedes-Benz today announced eco-friendly B200 Natural Gas Drive as the newest member of the B-Class family. Featuring 16 percent less CO2 emissions, significantly cleaner exhaust gases than petrol or diesel fuel and around 50 percent lower fuel costs than a comparable petrol model.

The first B-Class Model to make use of the “ENERGY SPACE” modular body concept, the B 200 Natural Gas Drive makes use of a double floor beneath the rear seat that creates space for one large and two smaller natural gas containers. The containers can hold up to 125 liters of natural gas.

In its natural gas mode, the B200 makes use of its115 kW (156 hp) Natural Gas Drive using a mere 4.2 kg/100 km – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 115 g per kilometre. The result are emissions that are16 percent lower than the B 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with petrol engine, while offering similar performance.

The car is scheduled to be unveiled in late September at the Paris Motor Show before arriving in dealerships in early 2013.

Read on for the full press release or skip directly to the photo gallery for a glimpse of the latest Mercedes B200 Model

With 16 percent less CO2 emissions, significantly cleaner exhaust gases than petrol or diesel fuel and around 50 percent lower fuel costs than a comparable petrol model, the new Mercedes B 200 Natural Gas Drive featuring, as its name suggests, a natural gas drive, has a lot to recommend it. The latest model in the successful B-Class family is due to make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show (27 September to 14 October 2012).

The B 200 Natural Gas Drive is the first B-Class model to make use of the “ENERGY SPACE” modular body concept: a partial double floor beneath the rear seat bench creates space to accommodate one large and two smaller natural gas containers, holding a total of 125 litres of natural gas (corresponding to approx. 21 kg). Thanks to this intelligent packaging method, the five-seater model is able to retain the generously proportioned luggage compartment for which it is known.

In natural gas mode, consumption of the 115 kW (156 hp) B 200 Natural Gas Drive is just 4.2 kg/100 km – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 115 g per kilometre. As a result, emissions are around 16 percent lower than those of the B 200 BlueEFFICIENCY with petrol engine, which offers equal performance. The new model belongs to efficiency class A and meets the EURO 6 emissions standard, which is not due to come into effect for all petrol-engined vehicles until 1st September 2014. But the model not only spares the environment – it is also good on the wallet: converting the consumption of the B 200 Natural Gas Drive into the energy equivalent of petrol, the price per kilometre comes out at around 50 percent lower than the fuel costs of driving a petrol model.

Performance is also on a similarly dynamic level: the B 200 Natural Gas Drive can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. The B 200 Natural Gas Drive works according to the monovalent+ principle. This means that its engine is basically operated using gas. For emergencies, there is a small 12-litre petrol tank on board. In the event that the gas tank should ever run dry, the vehicle switches over automatically, and imperceptibly, to petrol operation. And because drivers are not able to select petrol mode themselves, the B 200 Natural Gas Drive is taxed more favourably as a natural gas vehicle. The range in natural gas mode is around 500 kilometres.

The trip computer menu in the instrument cluster has been extended in the case of the B 200 Natural Gas Drive: the respective operating mode is displayed. In addition, a fill level indicator and remaining range are included for petrol mode. In gas mode, the driver has access to all of the regular trip computer functions.

Visually, the B 200 Natural Gas Drive also differs from other B-Class models in terms of a few details. Its main characteristics include the distinctive front bumper with strip-form LED daytime driving lights.

Vehicles fitted with natural gas drive are not only particularly environmentally friendly, they are also sustainable. This is because in addition to mineral natural gas, they can also be operated using biogas. Even synthetically produced gas can be used: this is produced using “excess” energy from solar power plants or wind farms, and in the future could help to resolve the storage problems encountered with alternative power generation. In this respect, overall the B 200 Natural Gas Drive can be considered to be emission-free.

The B 200 Natural Gas Drive is celebrating its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show and is optionally available with manual transmission as well as the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. It is due to arrive in dealerships at the beginning of 2013.

With the B 200 Natural Gas Drive, Mercedes-Benz is adding a particularly economical and ecological variant to the new B-Class family. Since its market launch in November 2011, the B-Class has enjoyed outstanding popularity among customers: by the end of June, more than 70,000 units had been sold worldwide.

An increasing number of Hollywood stars are opting for eco-friendly mobility from Mercedes-Benz. Actress Diane Kruger is one of more than 35 environmental enthusiasts and early adopters in California who are among the first to drive the locally emissions-free B-Class F-CELL vehicle. This electric vehicle with fuel cells from Mercedes-Benz generates electricity on board in a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. With a range of around 400 km and short refuelling times, the B-Class F‑CELL combines locally emissions-free mobility with suitability for long journeys and impressive performance. The vehicle produces no emissions, but only pure water.

“I’m excited to be driving the F-CELL. It’s environmentally conscious, fun to drive and gets lots of attention on the streets”, says Diane Kruger. “I can travel around 400 kilometres on a full tank and it’s easy to refuel.” The B-Class F-CELL fuel tank can be filled in just three minutes. It develops 100 kW (136 hp), with fuel consumption equivalent to just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

As well as the B-Class F-CELL, Mercedes-Benz has a selection of other vehicles with alternative drive systems, ranging from clean BlueTEC diesel models to hybrid vehicles such as the S 400 HYBRID, the vehicle of choice for Hollywood’s film makers and acting community. The S 400 HYBRID features a convenient start/stop function, which switches off the petrol engine if the car slows to below 15 km/h, for example when stopping at traffic lights. Furthermore, in 2012, Mercedes-Benz will launch the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID on the European market, and the E 400 HYBRID on the American market.

Other Hollywood stars who have chosen Mercedes-Benz vehicles for eco‑friendly mobility include Golden Globe winner Michelle Williams, Sofia Vergara, Bryan Cranston, 2011 Oscar winner Natalie Portman, Courteney Cox, Renée Zellweger, Katharine McPhee, Serena Williams and Nick Swisher.

The exciting news for Mercedes-Benz this morning was that the brand won World Green Car of the Year for their S250 CDI BlueEfficiency at the 2012 New York Auto Show. But the car that every journalist and photographer at the Jacob Javits Center was trying to snap a picture of today was the VolkswagenUp! which won “World Car of The Year”.  This is the third time a Volkswagen has won the award, the last two being the 2010 Polo and 2009 Golf VI.

In total, thirty-four new vehicles made the list of candidates for World Car of the Year from around the world.  The list was then narrowed down to ten, then a final three:  the Volkswagen Up!, BMW 3 Series and the Porsche 911. This year, practicality won out over glitz – the Volkswagen Up! is practical, economical and easy to navigate on city streets.

In awarding the prize, the international journalists that make up the World Car of the Year jury observed that the Volkswagen has become more than just a city car. “The little Volkswagen Up! has altered what we have come to expect from the citycar segment. Of note are the responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, new efficient engines and the quality of materials and finish.  “Never before in this economy segment have owners felt so premium,” they concluded.

Other winners include Porsche’s new 991-series, which had more formidable competition as it won World Performance Car of the Year, beating out the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4and McLaren’s MP4-12C.  Mercedes-Benz’s S250 CDI BlueEfficiency won World Green Car of the Year, besting the Ford Focus Electric and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid. And Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque took top honors for the World Car Design of the Year.

To be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates had to have been available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012.

Vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of sixty-four top-level automotive journalists from twenty-five  countries around the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence, and each typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Nissan Leaf in 2011, the Mazda2 / Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.

You may not know this, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food residuals together equate to roughly 27 percent of U.S. municipal waste. And it’s a shame, really, considering that with a little planning and effort, both are entirely compostable.

I already know what you’re thinking:  if you can compost food/yard waste at home, then what harm is it sending them to a garbage heap somewhere, where they’ll just turn into compost anyways?  Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, as once they’re mixed with other garbage, their decomposition takes signficantly longer, creating a toxic mix that’s significantly more detrimental to the environment.

In an effort to cut back on the amount of waste my household contributes to landfills, I decided to add an in-home composter to better manage food waste.  Living in an apartment, I needed something that could be stored indoors without leaking any odors, small enough to fit into my relatively limited kitchen space and most importantly, one that didn’t take a lot of time and work to use.  In the end, I opted for the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Composter – a sleek automatic composter that was everything I was looking for:  small enough to fit under a kitchen counter, simple to use, and most importantly, odorless.

My first week with my new NatureMill compost bin, and I’ll be honest:  I was little worried that throwing a steady stream of food scraps would eventually result in a horrendous smell that would render my kitchen useless.  But overcoming my doubt, I adhered to the instruction of the NatureMill, I kept adding food scraps, and a week later, true to NatureMill’s claims, there was still no smell.  In the middle of the second week, I had accumulated enough scraps to complete my first compost transfer (which I’ll explain in a second), and the result was perfect compost that looked like rich dark brown soil.  Fast forward a few months, and my NatureMill compost bin is still working perfectly.  I’ve completely eliminated the food waste produced by my household, and what may be the greatest benefit,  my garbage no longer smells from aging food scraps.

So how exactly does the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter work?  In truth, it’s about as simple as you can get.  Designed as a two chamber system, the top chamber is accessible via a raisable lid, and is the chamber where you add your food scraps.  Once you’ve done so, the NatureMill takes care of everything – mixing the materials, perfectly oxygenating the scraps and providing just the right amount of heat.  It’s the perfect environment for decomposition, so your food breaks down so quickly, it doesn’t have time to develop an odor.  You can add scraps as anytime, as often as you want (up to 4 gallons a week), and the NatureMill takes care of the rest.

I know, I know – you’re still worried about the smell.  As an added safeguard, the NatureMill comes equipped with a lifetime carbon filter, further eliminating the chance for unpleasant odors while providing virtually maintenance free usage.

As for the second chamber, once the materials have been composted and the top chamber becomes full, you can then transfer the compost to the lower chamber.  From there, it can either continue its composting process or be moved to your garden, plants, etc.  In total, the lower bin holds about 1.5 gallons worth of compost, which as previously noted, appears as a gorgeously fine mixture of dark brown soil.  Once transferred to your garden and potted plants, the nutrients from the compost will eventually seep down to your plants’ roots, providing vital nutrition and nitrogen to your plants, thus making them healthier.  The NatureMill is so simple that in truth, I really can’t see any reason why every home doesn’t have one.

Lastly, the design of the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter is one that bears mention.  Featuring a sleek, fingerprint proof silver metallic design, the NatureMill is perfect for kitchens, in that it fits perfectly under many kitchen cabinets (its measurements are 20″ x 12″ x 20″ H).  Even on its own, however, the NatureMill looks great, and can easily function as a stand alone unit.

Looking back on my decision to purchase the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter, I’m exceptionally glad I made the switch from traditional garbage disposal.  The NatureMill is so simple to use it’s virtually error-proof, it’s compact, it’s energy-efficient to run (it costs roughly $0.50 a month), it’s odorless and it’s fully automatic.  Best of all, it’s great for the environment, and more specifically, your plants.  If you’re looking for one of the easiest ways to cut down on waste and improve your garden, you really can’t get better than the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter.

Pricing for the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter is $395 on Amazon.com, and you can also learn more about the NatureMill Ultra Automatic Home Composter as well as NatureMill’s full lineup of home composting products at the official NatureMill website.

Mercedes-Benz created a billboard to promote their BlueEFFICIENCY technology – an advanced new Direct Injection gasoline engine that operates with microscopic precision and millisecond-quick response resulting in a stronger performance from less fuel with fewer emissions. BlueEFFICIENCY engines are some of the most innovative and green-friendly engines on the road and so the advertising had to live up to these ideals. The billboard at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg shows driver’s passing-by what they’re actually taking in when they breathe the air around them. As the billboard is exposed to daily pollution, the message on the billboard becomes clearer with the final message being that if more people drove a Mercedes-Benz with BlueEFFICIENCY technology, the picture wouldn’t be so clear.

Watch the time-lapse video below.

It should come as no surprise that the S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the ML250 BlueTEC 4Matic are among the most environmentally friendly vehicles in their class. Both vehicles are powered by a four-cylinder diesel unit with direct injection and turbocharging. The engine has a displacement of 2143 cubic centimetres, from which it delivers an output of 150 kW (204 hp), placing a powerful torque of 500 newton metres at the driver’s disposal.

The S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which is in the luxury class, uses the four-cylinder diesel to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 8.2 seconds, while the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, in the SUV category, takes 9.0 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint.

But, even with their sporty performances, both of the models are easy on fuel. The S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consumes 5.7 l/100 km combined (which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 149 g/km combined). The ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC consumes 6.0 litres over 100 kilometres, with CO2 emissions of 158 g/km (both figures combined).

Recently, the “ÖkoTrend” institute declared the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC to be not just among the best in their class but the best in terms of being the most environmentally friendly cars in their class.

Since 1997 the ÖkoTrend institute has been publishing an environmental ranking for cars on an annual basis. In order to reach a conclusion the institute evaluates the environmental compatibility of several tens of thousands of data relating to around a thousand car models in twelve categories. This stringent assessment includes information on consumption, pollutant emissions, manufacturing, logistics, recycling and the manufacturers’ environmental systems.

The above reseach led to the “AUTO TEST WINNERS in GREEN!” awards from the specialist publication AUTO TEST to go to the Mercedes S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled their Concept B-Class E-Cell Plus at the Frankfurt International Motor Show for the press on Tuesday.

The Mercedes Concept B-Class E-Cell Plus has a total range of up to 600 kilometers and a range of up to 100 kilometers when in all-electric, local emission-free mode. Acceleration in the B-Class E-Cell Plus is a less then speedy sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 11 seconds and the top speed of 150 km/h.  Though you won’t win any races both speeds are attainable in either operating mode making it extremely eco-friendly.

The above is made possible by the combination of a powerful electric drive generating a peak power output of 100 kW and a continuous output of 70 KW with a 50 kW petrol engine. The latter performs a dual role: at low vehicle speeds it charges the battery via a generator. At higher speeds it serves as a driving engine, acting on the front wheels together with the electric motor via a newly developed automatic transmission. The transmission is a newly developed automatic from Mercedes-Benz.

The Mercedes Concept B-Class E-Cell Plus meets Mercedes-Benz’s high standards in every respect. The vehicle combines compact exterior dimensions with a spacious and variable interior and luggage compartment. Five full-size seats make it an all-round electric car for the family, leisure and general motoring. The new electromechanical steering and enhanced driving dynamics provide for refined sportiness in the field of electric mobility.

Complete details can be found in the expanded press release below.

Making its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of days, the BRABUS ZERO EMISSION project vehicle Hybrid is a combination of the best of two worlds. An efficient direct-injection diesel with BRABUS ECO tuning and two electric wheel hub motors, this car is an innovative hybrid version of the Mercedes E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY known for its outstanding fuel economy ex-factory. The BRABUS project vehicle was developed by the BRABUS ZERO EMISSION business division, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The project vehicle has been developed to small-series-production maturity.

• The BRABUS development engineers have adapted two supplemental wheel hub motors from English manufacturer Protean ELECTRIC to the rear axle of the E-Class sedan

• These alternative drives, which in Eco mode each produce 50 kW of continuous power and 80 kW in Sport mode, are designed to fit in the BRABUS Monoblock Q 19-inch wheels

With a combined peak power output of 160 kW and a total peak torque of 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft) the two electric motors supplement the existing 2.2-liter common-rail turbodiesel engine, which was equipped with a BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D3 (V) performance kit. This tuning kit consists of an auxiliary control unit that features engine mapping developed on state-of-the-art engine test benches for optimizing fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The objective of this measure was less the power increase by 30 hp (29 bhp / 22 kW) to 200 hp (197 bhp / 147 kW) produced by the plug-and-play module. Much more important is the increase in peak torque from standard 400 to 450 Nm (295 to 332 lb-ft). It gives the vehicle even more pulling power, regardless of whether the vehicle is in hybrid or conventional operating mode, and results in better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

The two wheel hub motors turn the four-door car into the even more fuel efficient and ecofriendly BRABUS HYBRID. The various operating modes can be preselected from the cockpit.

During all-electric operation the car is powered by an 18.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack housed in a custom-made well in the underbody. It gives the BRABUS HYBRID in all-electric Eco mode a maximum operating range of 120 kilometers (75 miles) without any CO2 emissions. Even in Sport mode the car has an all-electric range of 80 kilometers (50 miles), which easily meets the requirements of the majority of motorists who on average drive less than 60 kilometers (37 miles) a day.

During all-electric operation the batteries are charged by energy recuperation. While coasting or braking the system reaches a maximum recuperation power of 140 kW. For charging at home with ecofriendly eco electricity the use of the car charger from German energy provider RWE is recommended. It can recharge the battery pack with a current of 380 volts and a charging capacity of 50 kW in 30 minutes. On the road the batteries can be recharged with the on-board charger on any standard 220 V AC outlet or on a 380 V three-phase power supply.

In hybrid mode, the 200 hp (197 bhp) / 147 kW of the diesel engine and the maximum 160 kW of the electric drive in Sport mode work together in highly efficient fashion. Acceleration time for 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) improves from standard 8.7 to 7.4 seconds.

Despite of the added weight of 255 kilograms (562 lbs.) compared to a stock E 220 CDI, the BRABUS HYBRID also shines in the area of pulling power thanks to its supplemental electric drive: the intermediate sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37 to 74 mph) now only takes 5.6 seconds.

At the same time the combination with the electric motors eases the load on the combustion engine, significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions further. Naturally drivers have the option to operate solely in diesel mode. In this case the batteries can also be recharged by the wheel hub motors which also function as alternators.

The work of the BRABUS development team was not limited to the integration of the two electric motors for all-electric or hybrid operation alone.

The higher vehicle weight and the altered weight distribution resulting from the installation of the wheel hub motors and the batteries in the rear necessitated the development of a new suspension. A height-adjustable comfortable sports suspension with variable damper rates was developed in cooperation with technology partner BILSTEIN.

The tires are supplied by technology partners Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA. They are mounted front and back in size 245/35 ZR 19 on BRABUS Monoblock Q alloy wheels with five double spokes.

The brakes are a BRABUS custom development as well. Special brake discs gripped by two calipers per wheel are attached to the rear of the wheel hub motors on the rear axle. All standard driver assist systems such as ABS and Brake Assist are retained.

The BRABUS front fascia, manufactured like all body components in OEM quality from high-grade Pur-R-Rim plastics, is designed to replace the production bumper in its entirety. Its sophisticated shape reduces lift on the front axle and also lends the sedan an even more striking nose. An innovative lighting concept with economical LED daytime running lights furthermore optimizes active safety.

BRABUS front aluminum sport fenders emphasize the sporty appearance of the concept car. BRABUS side skirts give the sedan a longer, sleeker appearance. Integrated LED entrance lights ensure safe entering and exiting of the vehicle in the dark. A blue-backlit BRABUS logo is integrated into each sill and activated together with the entrance lights.

BRABUS aluminum pedals and footrest add sporty highlights to the interior. A newly developed instrument cluster provides information about the state of charge of the battery pack. A control panel in the cockpit gives drivers the option to select all-electric mode, hybrid operation or diesel engine only.

BRABUS Technology Project HYBRID

Technical Data

Body

Four-door sedan based on the Mercedes-Benz W 212 series E-Class.

Steel unibody with mounts for lithium-ion batteries in the trunk. BRABUS aerodynamic-enhancement kit with front fascia, air vents in the front fenders, side skirts, rear spoiler lip and rear diffuser.

Dimensions:

• Length 4.868 mm (191.6 in)
• Width 1.841 mm (72.4 in)
• Height 1.464 mm (57.6 in)
• Curb weight 1,990 kg (4,387 lbs.)

Electric Drive

Two electronically controlled Protean ELECTRIC wheel hub motors on the rear axle and 18.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Charging by external or on-board charger.

• Peak power in Sport mode 2 x 80 kW = 160 kW system power
• Continuous power in Eco mode 2 x 50 kW = 100 kW system power
• Maximum recuperation power 2 x 70 kW = 140 kW total recuperation power
• Peak torque 2 x 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) = 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft) system torque
• Maximum rpm 2,000
• CO2 emissions 0 g/km
• Power supply Lithium-ion (LiCoMn) battery pack
• Nominal voltage 355 V
• Capacity 18.6 kWh
• External charger BRABUS RWE car charger, 380 V three-phase current
• Charging capacity: 50 kW (limited)
• Charging time: 0.5 hours (limited)
• Internal charger Brusa one-phase on-board charger, 220 V AC or 380 V three-phase current
• Charging capacity 3.3 kW (limited)
• Charging time: 5.6 hours

Engine

2.2-liter common-rail turbodiesel engine; based on Mercedes E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY; with BRABUS PowerXtra D3 (V) performance kit.

• 4-cylinder 4-valve alloy engine with one turbocharger
• Displacement 2,134 cm³ (130.2 cu. in.)
• Compression ratio 16.2 : 1
• Rated power output 200 hp (197 bhp) / 147 kW at 3,000 – 4,200 rpm
• Peak torque 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) from 1,400 rpm
• CO2 emissions in diesel operation 130 – 139 g/km (208 – 224 g/mile)

• Fuel type: diesel
• Motor oil: ARAL

Power Transfer

Rear-wheel drive with ESP and supplemental electric drive by two electric wheel hub motors on the rear axle

Six-speed manual gearbox for the diesel engine

Suspension

Independent front and rear suspension with height-adjustable BRABUS coilover sport suspension.

Front axle:

Three-link suspension, anti-dive geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with gas-pressure shocks with 10-way adjustable bound and rebound, and coil springs.

Rear axle:

Multi-link suspension, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with gas-pressure shocks with 10-way adjustable bound and rebound, and coil springs.

Wheels:

BRABUS Monoblock Q 8.5J x 19 H2 alloy wheels with Continental, Pirelli or YOKOHAMA high-performance brake system.

• Front: 8.5J x 19 H2 with 245/35 ZR 19
• Rear: 8.5J x 19 H2 with 245/35 ZR 19

Brake System

Dual-circuit brake system with BRABUS high-performance brake system assisted by the wheel hub motors on the rear axle.

Performance

• 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph): 7.4 sec.
• 60 – 120 km/h (37 – 74 mph): 5.6 sec.
• Top speed Eco mode: 190 km/h (118 mph)
• Top speed Sport mode: 220 km/h (137 mph)

Energy Consumption and Operating Range

Electric Mode:

• Energy consumption of the
• electric motors based on NEDC
• incl. recuperation: 0.19 kWh/km (0.30 kWh/mile)
• Operating range based on NEDC: 80 km (50 miles)
• Operating range at a constant 100 km/h (62 mph): 120 km (75 miles)

Price

• Prototype not for sale

After 70 days of driving and more than 18,000 miles, the B-Class F-Cell’s have circled the globe and returned home to Stuttgart becoming the first round-the-world drive with fuel-cell vehicles.  The three Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL vehicles with zero local emissions drivelines crossed the finish line on June 1, 2011 in front of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The hydrogen-powered B-Classes and their support vehicles set off from Stuttgart at the end of January on the occasion of the official 125th birthday of the automobile, and on their way have crossed through 14 countries on four continents.

“With the F-CELL World Drive we have shown, that the time for electric vehicles with fuel cell has come. Now the development of the infrastructure has to pick up speed,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “For only an adequate number of hydrogen fueling stations enables car drivers to benefit from the advantages of this technology: high range, short refueling times, zero emissions.

Hydrogen infrastructure challenge

Within the scope of the F-CELL World Drive, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL was functioning as an ambassador for a new, zero-emissions auto-mobility of the future. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz was lobbying extensively for the establishment of a comprehensive network of hydrogen fueling stations – a crucial factor for the market success of this technology. So far, there are only approximately 200 fuel stations worldwide at which fuel cell vehicles can be refueled. According to expert calculations, a network of around 1,000 fixed fuel stations would be sufficient for basic nationwide coverage in Germany. A central aim of Mercedes-Benz is to see to it that, in future, drivers all over the world will be able to refuel with hydrogen – just as they do today with gasoline and diesel fuel.

The exclusive partner for hydrogen supply on the F-CELL World Drive was the Linde Group. Thanks to its hydrogen expertise and global presence, it was able to guarantee fuel supply throughout the entire world trip. A jointly developed mobile refueling unit based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter accompanied the tour – the only way to ensure fuel supply even on the most remote stretches.

Proof of the everyday usability of fuel-cell drive

During the F-CELL World Drive, Mercedes-Benz was able to provide an impressive demonstration of the qualities of its fuel cell vehicles in terms of performance and robustness. The World Drive vehicles drove not only in downtown areas, on country roads and lengthy stretches of highway, but also proved their capabilities driving on unfinished surfaces, for example on stages in Australia and China.

Even a no-fault accident in Kazakhstan was unable to stop the B-Class F-CELL. On the route from Almaty to Balkhash, the number-three B-Class F-CELL was rammed on its rear left fender. The rear axle and bumper of the fuel-cell car both sustained damage. However, the fuel cell vehicle was repaired in a nearby workshop and continued its way around the world. Only a small dent in the bodywork bears testament to this single incident.

Round the world with hydrogen – the tour in figures

After 70 days of driving, participants in the F-CELL World Drive collected an abundance of travel notes documenting the multi-faceted aspects of the tour and, at the same time, underscoring the everyday usability of the fuel cell technology on board the B-Class F-CELL. The record distance of 648 kilometers, split between two stretches of more than 300 kilometers each, was covered on the drive from Almaty to Balkhash in Kazakhstan. Another likely record is the number of inhabitants in the places visited by the tour, ranging from no more than twenty in Balladonia, Australia, to an impressive 19 million in Shanghai, China. Due to the still insufficient hydrogen infrastructure, the mobile unit, which has been developed in cooperation with the Linde AG, was used around 130 times to refuel the B-Classes. Along the route, the B-Class F-CELL vehicles were also refueled in just a few minutes at two hydrogen fueling stations.

Mercedes-Benz long-distance drives – in the tracks of Bertha Benz

With the now historic F-CELL World Drive, the first round-the-world drive with fuel cell vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is adding to a long history of legendary long-distance drives. Examples include the first crossing of Africa in a car in 1909 and the longest diesel marathon – the “E-Class Experience” – run in 2006 over 14,000 kilometers from Paris to Beijing.

As far as its objective was concerned, the F-CELL World Drive has a direct connection to the world’s very first long-distance drive – the pioneering endeavor of Bertha Benz, who, in 1888, completed the first cross-country drive with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen from Mannheim to Pforzheim. She faced in principle the same challenge as her successors with the B-Class F-CELL – she, too, could not exactly roll into the next fuel station and top up.

In the early days of the automobile, drivers had to buy their fuel from the pharmacy, which is why Bertha Benz stopped at the town pharmacy in Wiesloch. That was the only place she could acquire the light gasoline “ligroin” – which was actually intended for domestic use as a stain remover, but also worked as fuel. First gradually, then with increasing speed, the fuel station network expanded into the worldwide infrastructure we know today. That was a defining factor in the triumphant procession of the combustion-engine-powered automobile invented in 1886 by Daimler and Benz. With new drive systems the motto is: alternative drives need alternative infrastructures. In the case of the B-Class F-CELL, this means hydrogen fueling stations. It is for this reason that Mercedes-Benz, as the inventor of the automobile, together with partners from commerce and politics, is lobbying heavily for the establishment of a comprehensive infrastructure – both for electric cars with fuel cells and for those with battery-electric drive.

There are only a few hours left for the three neon green Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell’s that took a journey around the world. The F-CELL World Tour is scheduled to arrive in Stuttgart on June 1st to what we can only imagine will be one hell of a welcome home party. If you’re interested in celebrating their return, head to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart at 3 pm June 1st.

If you are unfamiliar with the F-CELL World Drive and the B-Class F-Cell powered electric cars, they are an example of how developing a technology can also be in harmony with nature. The goal for future mobility is to eliminate Co2 emissions and the F-Cell showcases a technology that has the potential to make this possible.

Recap of F-CELL World Drive legs 24-27:

After a 9000-kilometre journey through China and Kazakhstan and some 25,000 locally emissions-free kilometres covered, our three fuel-cell vehicles crossed the final continental boundary of the tour on 15 May 2011: the 107th day of the F-CELL World Drive saw the tour head from Chelyabinsk to Ufa in Russia, and from there back to Europe, marking the successful crossing of the fourth continent of the journey, Asia. Just five countries remain for participants over the final 5000-kilometre leg of the tour, which is scheduled to finally return to Stuttgart on 1 June after 125 days.

Our three B-Class F-CELL vehicles are expected to cover more than 3000 kilometres on their journey through Russia before crossing into Finland on 23 May, and then on to the home straight via Scandinavia. The first stage on Russian soil, which leads from Chelyabinsk to the capital Moscow over four days, brings the tour back to Europe.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Europe – Leg 24: From Moscow to St. Petersburg

From the Russian capital Moscow, the F-CELL World Drive starts on its 24th leg on May 20. During three days, the vehicles travel 800 kilometers to St. Petersburg. One day before, local media took the opportunity to test drive the locally emission-free B-Class F-CELL in Moscow.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Europe – Leg 25: From St. Petersburg to Helsinki

On May 23, the F-CELL World Drive embarks on one of the shortest legs of the world tour: the one-day trip leads the participants from St. Petersburg in Russia into the finish capital Helsinki, thereby covering 450 kilometers. The journey then will continue from Helsinki to Stockholm via ferry.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Europe – Leg 26: From Stockholm to Oslo

From Stockholm in Sweden, the tour embarks on a 550 kilometers-journey to the neighbouring country Norway, to Oslo. The interest in fuel cell technology there is great: After Germany and the USA, Norway will be the third market where the B-Class F-CELL will be introduced. Also, on May 27, representatives of the local media have the opportunity to learn about fuel cell technology in Oslo.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Europe – Leg 27: From Oslo to Hamburg

On May 28 the F-CELL World Drive embarks on a two-day trip, leading it towards its destination Germany, where the tour departed from in January. From Oslo in Norway via Malmö in Sweden the route leads to Hamburg. The vehicles thereby cover a distance of 1.200 Kilometer in four countries. Before the beginning of this leg, media representatives in Oslo took the chance of a press event to learn about the emission-free fuel cell technology, which will soon be available in Norway.

Update: 06/01/2011

On May 30, the fuel cell vehicles will embark on the last leg of the F-CELL World Drive, leading them from Hamburg via Berlin and Nuremberg to the Mercedes-Benz Headquarters in Stuttgart. About XXX guests will then welcome the convoy after its 125-day trip in the course of a festivity, taking place in the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Furthermore, the Stuttgart-based automotive manufacturer hosts events in Hamburg, Berlin and Nuremberg in order to draw attention to the potential of fuel cell technology and the need for a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure.

AMP Electric Vehicles, a company offering emission-free electrification of OEM vehicles, AMP handed over the keys of an electric Mercedes-Benz ML 350 to the company’s newest and biggest client, Gisli Gislason, the chairman and chief executive of Northern Lights Energy, a utility in Iceland.

This is the initial delivery committed in AMP’s long term supply agreement with the Icelandic company signed on April, 14, 2011. The Mercedes SUV was just the first vehicle produced in accordance with the five-year contract between the two companies, during which Amp expects to ship 1,000 E.V.’s to the island nation.

In the past, Amp has converted only General Motors passenger cars, primarily the Chevrolet Equinox crossover.. The Mercedes-Benz ML’s proportions are similar to those of the Equinox, which helped in the conversion, particularly to house the company’s 900-pound battery unit.

“We retained a split battery pack to keep the weight balance about equal to the original manufacturer’s specification,” said Steve Burns, president and co-founder of Amp, in a telephone interview. “We can even lower the center of gravity a bit to give it better handling.”

The ML’s global distribution was also a consideration for Amp. “It’s a world car, so it’s already passed Euro and U.S. crash-safety tests,” he said. “That’s the benefit of our approach; we didn’t have to worry about developing a defroster or a windshield wiper.”

Amp is not committing exclusively to the ML as its future platform, nor is it trying to lock up a contract with one battery supplier (Mr. Burns declined to name the current supplier of its batteries). This is an advantage of the company’s business model, Mr. Burns said. “We have a five-year contract, so you can imagine what batteries will do during that time,” he said. “We try to be battery agnostic.”

Mr. Burns estimates that the ML should travel 100 miles on a charge in pure highway driving, which compares favorably to the estimated range of the Nissan Leaf, despite the ML weighing nearly 2,000 pounds more than the purely electric Nissan.

Though primarily an electricity provider, Northern Lights will function as a distribution channel for the Amp vehicles. Mr. Gislason is working to secure orders from companies, municipalities and individual buyers in Iceland, who, according to Mr. Gislason, should be easy quarry.

“Gasoline is about $8 a gallon right now, and Iceland has low import taxes on E.V.’s,” he said in a telephone interview. “A Mercedes S.U.V. would be basically the same price to import, plus you’d have to purchase gas. For us, it’s a no brainer.”

Iceland also generates much of its electricity through geothermal and hydroelectric sources, which increases the cost benefit of E.V. operation, he said.

The utility’s agreement with Amp is not exclusive, so Northern Lights could conceivably become partners with other E.V. manufacturers. However, Mr. Gislason does not expect that to occur soon. “Amp can deliver us cars. Today, they gave us a real car. We’re not being told by a big manufacturer, ‘Oh, there’s a delay.’ We’re getting them right now.”

The neutral auditors from TÜV Süd have acknowledged the high level of environmental compatibility of the new SLK. The sporty Roadster has received an Environmental Certificate in accordance with the ISO 14062 standard, based on a lifecycle assessment of the SLK.

“We have been making rapid advances in efficiency, the likes of which have never been seen before in the history of the automobile. And as the inventors of the automobile, we assume particular responsibility for its future,” explains Professor Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer of Daimler AG. “We analyse the environmental compatibility of our models throughout their entire life cycle – from production, through their many years of usage, to end-of-life recycling. This goes far beyond mere compliance with legal requirements.”

The Environmental Certificate, together with explanatory material, has been made available to the public in the “Life Cycle” documentation series, which can be accessed at www.mercedes-benz.com. In addition to the SLK, the A, B, C, E and S-Class models, as well as the GLK and SLK have already received environmental certification from TÜV Süd.

Over its entire life cycle – from production and operation over more than 200,000 kilometres up to recovery – the new Mercedes-Benz SLK causes 20 percent lower CO2 emissions than its predecessor at the time of discontinuation in 2010. The overall energy balance is equally positive: over the entire life cycle, the primary energy savings amount to 18 percent compared with the predecessor, which corresponds to the energy content of 4100 litres of petrol.

This is largely due to significant reductions in consumption. In the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY model, for example, consumption has dropped from the preceding figure of 8.0 to 8.2 l/100 km (at the time of discontinuation in 2010) to 6.1 to 6.5 l/100 km, representing a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 24 percent.

The SLK already meets the mandatory recycling rate of 95 percent by weight that will come into force on 1 January 2015; the future requirements of vehicle recycling were already taken into account at the development stage. Closing material loops plays an important role here. The new Roadster makes use of a total of 68 components with a combined weight of 35.4 kg that are produced from high-quality recycled plastics. The mass of approved recycled components has therefore been increased by 5 percent over the previous model.

Some 24 components in the SLK with a total weight of almost 8.2 kg are made from natural materials – an increase of 67 percent compared with the previous model. In terms of natural fibres, the new SLK primarily makes use of leather, cotton and wool as standard. For the tank vent filter too, the new SLK also makes use of raw materials from nature, olive stones are employed in the production of the activated charcoal filter.

A powerful and responsive, 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is not usually what comes to mind when you think of “green” cars, but – if Bernie Towns and the crew at Speedriven get their way – it soon may be.

Bernie Towns is an engineer at HighMount Exploration and Production – a natural-gas-focused energy company based out of Houston, Texas. “Clean” and “green” are everyday buzzwords in the energy-production industry, and Towns’ company Future Power Technology well be no exception, promoting research into new ways to push CNG into the mainstream. In addition to being well-versed in current green-energy trends, however, there is something about Bernie Towns that is different from the usual green-car advocates. “I admit it. I’m a horsepower addict,” Bernie says. “I love speed, I love power, and I love my Mercedes-Benz.”

The object of Towns’ current automotive affections is a 2007 SL600 Mercedes-Benz roadster, which – after nearly a year of research and development work by Chicago-based tuning firm Speedriven – now develops over 800 horsepower and over one-thousand pound-feet of torque from its biturbo V12. Good enough for 10-second quarter mile runs and a top speed well in excess of 200 mph.

Towns’ massively powerful Speedriven SL satisfied his need for speed, then, but Towns still felt that something was missing. “In the IT world, we literally spend hours of every day coming up with ways to do business in more efficient ways and (at HighMount) in more environmentally responsible ways,” explains Towns. “So there I am, sitting at lunch one day and the people are talking about natural gas cars, and it suddenly hits me: we should convert the SL to run on natural gas!”

“In a lot of circles, green is the new fast,” says Speedriven’s Jo Borras. “I think that’s true, and Bernie is certainly a believer. He’ll talk about CNG giving off 80% fewer harmful emissions than gasoline, and he has the resources to figure out flame-front speeds, burr temperatures, and other technical things we need on our end to properly tune for the gas and convert the car. He doesn’t just want to do a CNG Benz, though. Bernie wants to break records.”

“Audi has the current record, at 364.6 kilometers per hour that they set back in 2009. That’s just over 225 mph, which they did in a heavily tuned Audi S4 making about 700 hp,” explains Towns. “That wasn’t standing-mile speed or anything, that was all they could get out of that car. The Mercedes has a bigger engine to start with, and it’s a slipperier car – from the factory at least. By the time this is all said and done, we’ll be making at least another 100 horsepower over the record Audi, and Mercedes has already given us a better aero package to work with. 230 mph to 240 mph run on CNG powered fuel. That’s the goal, and why can’t we do it? We know that Oklahoma and Texas have an abundance of natural gas, and a ready infrastructure of responsibly operating and producing companies that employ thousands of Americans all the way from production to distribution at CNG-filling stations that are already in place and available to the public. This is exciting and this is fun and there is no better and more brilliant use of this type of clean power than in our vehicles.”

The next test of Bernie’s car is scheduled for the Texas Mile event in March, and the SL600 is already at Speedriven’s Chicago facility, getting fitted with a new turbocharger assembly designed to push the boundaries even farther. “The first step to put the ‘pedal to the metal’ on this project is for Speedriven to get the hardware to where it needs to be,” says Towns. “I think 200 in a standing mile, with 240 mph or so as the top speed. Once we’re happy with the hardware and with the programming and we’re getting the results we want on gas, then we’ll convert the car’s fuel system and scale the math appropriately for the CNG. That way we’re dealing with known quantities all the way through, introducing new variables one at a time. That’s how Speedriven wants to move forward and that’s how everyone on my end likes to do things as well. Methodical. Step by step.”

Bernie Towns and the crew at Speedriven are moving forward and gaining support with each passing week. Towns offers that the group has been in touch with Mercedes-Benz USA, and that the ANGA and NGV America are also getting “on board” with the project.

“We’re pretty excited. I’m pretty excited,” says an emotional Towns. “It’s not everyone who gets to go out and do something really exciting with emerging technology and clean energy and break speed records in the same car they drive home every day and still get to call that ‘work’. This is great!”

Leg 1: The first leg of the F-CELL World Drive started on 30th January 2011 at 8:00 a.m. in Stuttgart, Germany. The vehicles first drove to Reims, via Loudres, where the first refuelling stop took place. The three B-Class F-CELL vehicles finally arrived at their destination Paris at noontime on 31st January. During the first leg, the three fuel cell vehicles covered a distance of 660 kilometres, while driving locally emission free.

Leg 2: The second leg began in the early morning of 2nd February 2011 in Paris and led through Sermoise sur Loire, where the vehicles were refuelled for the first time, straight to Lyon. The three B-Class F-CELL vehicles covered a distance of 500 kilometers – locally emission-free. One day before, on 1st February, the first press-event of the F-CELL World Drive offered local journalists the opportunity to see for themselves that the B-Class F-CELL is technically mature.

Leg 3: On 4th February 2011, the third leg of the F-CELL World Drive led the vehicles to Perpignan in France. The day after, the vehicles embarked on a 200 kilometers journey towards the Spanish coastal town of Barcelona. The vehicles covered an overall distance of about 690 kilometers. On 3rd February, the second event for local media took place in Lyon.

Leg 4: The third press-event of more than 20 similar activities during the F-CELL World Drive, took place on 7th February in Barcelona. On 8th February 2011, the three B-Class F-CELL vehicles travelled further to Valencia. One day later, the Tour continued their journey towards the Spanish capital Madrid. 700 kilometers were added to the mileage during the fourth leg.

Leg 5: After the forth press event of the F-CELL World Drive in Madrid, the vehicles travelled for two days from 11th until 12th February – due to an overnight stop in Badajoz – to reach the Portuguese capital Lisbon. On the last leg in Europe, the vehicles have covered a distance of more than 660 kilometers. Every single B-Class F-CELL has travelled a total of 3,250 kilometers during the first part of the F-CELL World Drive, not including the distances, the cars covered in the course of local activities. All in all, each of the vehicles will achieve a mileage of about 4,000 kilometers. After another press day on February 14th in Cascais, close to Lisbon, the vehicles will leave Europe via airplane, in order to carry on their journey in the USA on February 25, 2011.

Daimler AG presents the innovative drive solutions of today and tomorrow in its role as Official Transport Partner to the 4th World Future Energy Summit (WFES). The World Future Energy Summit is one of the world’s largest and most important events for the energy and environment industries.

Daimler AG is the first European automotive manufacturer to have a presence at the conference, and is making its mark with a trade stand, expert speakers and opportunities to Ride & Drive in battery-electric powered vehicles. This level of participation allows the company to demonstrate its globally unparalleled expertise in sustainable mobility – be it the smart fortwo electric drive city car, the SLS AMG E-CELL super sports car or the Vito E-CELL urban van.

Daimler also provides green solutions in the commercial-vehicle segment, including the Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT with CO2-neutral biogas drive and the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid truck.

Ride & Drive in Daimler electric vehicles

As well as experiencing the smart fortwo electric drive, visitors can also get a taste of the mobility solutions of the future in the shape of the S 500 Plug-in HYBRID, the BlueZERO F-CELL and the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style research vehicle. Furthermore Ride & Drive also offers the opportunity to discover at first hand the unrestricted everyday practicality of two of Daimler’s electric vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL and the smart fortwo electric drive, both of which are already in series production.

The stated aim of the WFES is to serve as the platform that enables political and economic decision makers to find sustainable, environmentally-friendly, economical solutions to the challenges faced by the energy industry. It provides a forum where internationally renowned experts come together to discuss the latest developments affecting a broad range of energy-related issues, from solar energy, through alternative fuels, to e-mobility. This conference focuses on developments and innovations that provide possible solutions to the energy issues of the future.