Daimler AG, RWE AG Collaborating on e-Mobility Berlin Project

Daimler and RWE are teaming up on a project called e-Mobility Berlin that will turn the German city into a laboratory for electric vehicles. The duo is building off an experiment involving 100 prototypes of Daimler’s smart ed (electric drive) coupe that were tested on the streets of London. The newest smart coupe was introduced to the public a few weeks ago to mark the 10th anniversary of Daimler’s subsidiary. Daimler’s brain trust has hopes that the e-Mobility Berlin project will lead to commercial production of the smart ed by 2010.



Daimler’s contribution to e-Mobility Berlin would be ineffective without the help of RWE AG’s infrastructure support. RWE is one of Germany’s leading utility companies and will help Daimler create a prototype electrical grid with 500 charging ports. The company is busy at the moment developing and producing ports that can be installed in homes, businesses and parks throughout Berlin. Daimler and RWE are getting plenty of support from the German government in its effort to encourage alternative fuel sources.

European Automakers Increase Fuel Efficiency, Fail to Meet Proposed EU Emissions Standards

Transport and Environment (T&E) reported recently that European automakers like BMW have increased fuel efficiency but failed to meet the European Union’s carbon emissions standard for the 2008 model year. T&E noted that 2008 cars sold within the European Union used 1.7% less fuel than 2007 models. BMW was the leader in T&E’s fuel efficiency study by cutting fuel usage by 7.3% over last year’s models.



While this news is promising for European motorists concerned about fuel costs, T&E’s report is disconcerting for people concerned about emissions. The European Commission has been debating a fuel emissions standard of 130g/KM of carbon dioxide for every car by the year 2012. Auto industry lobbyists who feel that emission standards need to be added in gradually to avoid undue costs for manufacturers have criticized this proposal. T&E indicates that the European auto market has average emissions of 158g/KM and wants the proposed standard to be set at 120g/KM.

Daimler AG Unveiling Next Generation of Fuel-Efficient Vehicles in Hanover

Investors and executives at Daimler AG are understandably excited at the automaker’s lineup ready for display at the International Commercial Vehicle show. This show takes place at the end of September 2008 in Hanover, Germany and Daimler AG is using the autumn event to take the next step toward fuel efficiency. Daimler’s representatives will be educating attendees on the Actros line of construction vehicles as well as the BlueTec and Vito hybrids.



The biggest buzz among Daimler’s 80-vehicle show fleet surrounds the Actros line of construction vehicles. The newly constituted Actros construction line is making its first appearance in public at the ICV show and should impress building professionals who are interested in fuel-efficient machinery. The highlight of this line is the new version of the Actros truck, which uses the PowerShift 2 transmission as well as a feedback-controlled pump to conserve electricity. Daimler’s efforts at gaining a foothold into such a small niche as fuel-efficient construction machinery should be indicative of the automaker’s foresight.

A123 To Take Charge in the Car Industry

Lithium-ion batteries are quite the hot topic in the green car industry these days. Car companies can’t seem to line up fast enough to test all the options available for the cars of the future.

General Motors is testing lithium-ion technology from two companies in hopes to roll out the Chevrolet Volt by 2010 when it is also expected to produce the plug-in hybrid Saturn Vue. An estimated cost per lithium-ion battery is $10,000 that is provided by A123 Systems in Watertown, MA. GM is also utilizing the combined efforts of South Korea’s LG Chem and Compact Power from MI in the Chevy Volt test.

The lithium-ion battery is expected to get 40 miles on one charge but the use of the technology is not free of criticism. The most obvious criticism is the questionable lifespan. The industry wants guarantees of a battery that can offer 10-15 years to the consumer.

Industry experts are also concerned with safety. If lithium-ion battery-run cars roll out too soon and safety becomes an issue after the fact there could be serious ramifications. Lithium-ion batteries run hot and can overheat. They are also flammable if pierced and there is an unknown factor about what could happen in a crash.