
The head of Audi continues the trend among German automakers in recent months toward developing marketable electric cars. Rupert Stadler from Audi has said that the venerable German company will create electric cars in Europe by 2018. The rationale given by Stadler for Audi’s new commitment to electric-powered vehicles is the accelerated affordability of electrical components. Audi is following competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW toward the lucrative global market for zero-emission vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz dazzled hybrid car fans during the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show with a series of diesel-electric concept cars. The centerpiece of this collection was the Mercedes-Benz F700 that featured the innovative Diesolto engine. This engine impressed auto journalists and attendees with its rapid fuel injections, high compression ratio and turbo charging. These elements lead to improved fuel mileage during acceleration while the electric powertrain builds energy during deceleration. The F700 and other diesel-electric hybrids by Mercedes-Benz have been promised for the 2010 model year though the process could be accelerated to take advantage of anxious consumers.