Mercedes-Benz TecDay E-Drive - From city car to van: the world's most versatile electric fleet

25.11.2010 / Stuttgart - Valencia - Cairo

Emission-free cars are not yet playing any important role neither for the governments in the Middle East region nor for the awareness of its populations. But this might change soon.

That is one of the reasons why locally emission-free electric vehicles are a cornerstone of the Mercedes-Benz strategy for sustainable mobility.

The Stuttgart-based premium manufacturer underlines its ambition to lead in this segment with three electric vehicles which are already produced under series-production conditions and offer full everyday practicality: the new A-Class E-CELL, the B-Class F-CELL and the Vito E-CELL van. The smart fortwo electric drive, which has been produced in series since November 2009, completes this unique product portfolio.

The line-up is based on the E-Drive modular system, which allows identical parts to be used in a wide range of different vehicles. At the same time, the inventor of the motor car is pressing ahead with development in core areas of expertise such as battery technology.

Furthermore, because electric cars require suitable conditions to enable everyday use, the company is fully dedicated to improving all relevant aspects of emission-free driving: from vehicle technology to cross-industry infrastructure and mobility projects.

"Customer benefit is our top priority when developing sophisticated electric mobility," says Dr Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

"The success of e-mobility stands and falls on customer acceptance, which essentially depends on three factors: everyday practicality combined with driving enjoyment, economic efficiency, and a charging and refuelling infrastructure for power and hydrogen. This is why we adopt a comprehensive approach to this topic, the aim being to offer a convincing, complete solution."

For Mercedes-Benz, customer focus also means electric cars which feature all of the brand's hallmark traits, including comfort and safety as well as superior performance and exemplary practicality. The Mercedes engineers combine these "classic" product benefits with their know-how in the domain of electric mobility accumulated over many decades.

Dr Weber: "During the almost 125-year history of our company, we have acquired a great deal of knowledge and experience in the field of electric vehicles – either with battery or fuel cell. On this basis, we
have already been able to put two electric cars offering full everyday practicality onto the road in the shape of the smart fortwo electric drive and the B-Class F-CELL.

Zero-emissions passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are becoming more and more important in the Middle East region, especially with complete zero-emission cities coming up in the gulf region, such as Masdar city in the UAE.

MS