Mercedes-Benz has spent the past year testing its Vito E-CELL electric van on roads and racetracks. The automaker is set to hand over 100 units for day-to-day use to fleet drivers in Berlin, Stuttgart and Barcelona. Half of these Vito E-CELL vans will be delivered to German drivers starting this month. The remaining 50 vans will be delivered to drivers in Barcelona in the first quarter of 2011. An additional 2,000 units will be produced in 2011 for an expanded pilot program throughout Europe.

The Vito E-CELL electric van is designed for businesses within big cities in need of mixed-use vehicles. The drive system used by Mercedes-Benz includes a 36kWh lithium-ion battery, a single-speed transmission and a 60kW electric motor. The battery pack features 192 cells that are protected from overheating by the company’s Watchdog Safety System. The Vito E-Cell also features the automaker’s Smart Charge Communication Unit, which allows for smart charging options activated from the steering wheel. These options include setting charging times during extended stays and turning off battery charging in case of emergencies.

Test drivers in Germany and Spain will determine if claims made about the Vito E-CELL’s performance are accurate. The all-electric van is estimated to get a range of 81 miles per charge. Mercedes-Benz has determined that its average customer drives up to 50 miles per day. The top speed of 50 miles per hour means that a driver could hit heavily traveled streets without getting left behind. The Vito E-CELL can carry a payload up to 1,984 pounds, which would be sufficient for a few passengers and small amounts of cargo.

The day-to-day testing process would be impossible without a charging infrastructure. Drivers in Berlin and Stuttgart will receive home charging stations from Vattenfall and EnBW respectively. These stations should be able to recharge the Vito E-CELL battery to full capacity in six hours. Mercedes-Benz also notes that a standard outlet with a few modifications could recharge the battery in 12 hours. The Vito E-CELL testing process should act as a showcase of the automaker’s quick jump into electric vehicles. European automakers have focused on hydrogen fuel cells to this point, leaving an opening in the continent’s EV market. This particular model may not be suitable for single commuters and families but the drive system could be replicated in future models.

The Norwegian government is working with the European Commission (EC) to test the potential for hydrogen vehicles in Scandinavia. The EC’s European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Program is arranging the delivery of 17 fuel-cell vehicles to drivers in Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian phase of the program’s European Lighthouse Project will use $25 million to show the viability of fuel cell drive systems. These drivers will have access to a hydrogen refueling station created by Danish company H2 Logic.

The European Lighthouse Project will use a total of $1.26 billion by 2014 to coordinate hydrogen infrastructure in Scandinavia, Germany and Denmark. This element of the project is nicknamed H2moves Scandinavia and will feature research collaboration by regional universities. TUV SUD in Germany and SP Technical Research Institute will study the safety, performance and fueling speed of the demonstrator units in the project.

Test drivers in Oslo will be demonstrating ten Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELLs, two Alfa Romeo MiTo Fuel Cells and five electric cars equipped with fuel-cell systems by H2 Logic. The B-Class F-CELL achieves up to 71 miles per gallon equivalent with the help of a 100-kW electric motor. The MiTO Fuel Cell runs on a Nuvera fuel-cell system that can travel up to 280 miles without refueling. H2 Logic has developed an electric city car that will feature a fuel-cell range extender for commutes within Oslo.

H2 Logic is benefitting from funds offered by the EC and northern European countries interested in a regional infrastructure. The company has developed a hydrogen refueling station that will draw from regional hydrogen supplies produced by hydroelectric and wind power. The European Lighthouse Project has also commissioned a mobile fueling source from H2 Logic. This portable refueling unit will be used during a 2011 demonstration tour sponsored by the European Regions and Municipalities Partnership and Hydrogen Sweden.

This project is part of the EC’s efforts to create alt-fuel infrastructure that will reduce transportation emissions. H2moves Scandinavia is the inaugural element of the European Lighthouse Project, which means a great deal hinges on the success of this project. The focus on clean energy production along with alternative fuel vehicles is heartening for eco-conscious drivers. Mass adoption of hydrogen, electric and hybrid vehicles means little if we are still reliant on harmful means of creating energy.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) recently released a plan for EV charging uniformity within the next decade. This two-phase plan would set standards for EV infrastructure in terms of vehicle plug-in units as well as charging systems. The ACEA is pushing for widespread adoption of Mode 2 and Mode 3 EV connectors to accommodate current electrical grids throughout Europe. These EV connectors would allow for standard and expedited charging in the next generation of vehicles. At present, EV drivers around the world confront issues with different connectors including reduction of charge efficiency and increased safety concerns.

The first phase of this EV charging plan includes provisions for flexible vehicle inlets, public charging and home charging. All of the automakers agreed to include plugs with new EVs to handle Mode 2 (household charging) as well as Mode 3 (public charging). Charging system suppliers will be asked to include both types of electrical sockets in each unit to accommodate a majority of EV drivers. The ACEA also wants to certify that home charging units are safe by asking for certification by an independent party prior to regular use.

As the EV market develops by 2017, ACEA will initiate the second phase of its EV infrastructure plan. European automakers intend to move toward uniformity in EV charging systems, vehicle inlets and grid operations. This uniformity would start by mandating that all new EVs after 2017 only include Mode 3 vehicle inlets to reflect similar mandates for public and home charging. Both phases of the plan ensure that early adopters can find public charging for their units even as future EV owners access the next generation of charging systems.

The ACEA plan carries weight largely due to the organization’s roster of industry heavyweights. This industry organization includes leading automakers like Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault and Peugeot Citroen. While participation by utilities and suppliers is necessary, the ACEA serves enough consumers to force quick advancement in EV charging infrastructure. The two-phase infrastructure plan seems cumbersome at first blush but it is necessary to meet the needs of the first two generations of EV users. ACEA recognizes at once the need for a dynamic transportation system along with the uniformity necessary for safe use of electric vehicles.

The city of London is following in the footsteps of Vancouver, Beijing and other Olympic cities in making its city look progressive. London’s 2012 Olympics bid has accelerated the timetable for introducing greener vehicles to city streets. Mayor Boris Johnson has spoken out about the need to reduce emissions by 2012. London is updating its ubiquitous double deckers with greener versions in the near future. Eco City Vehicles PLC, which produces the official taxi for London, took a step toward cleaner transportation last week with the introduction of the Mercedes eVito Taxi.

Eco City Vehicles PLC worked with Mercedes-Benz UK, Zytek Automotive and other partners to produce this all-electric taxi. The eVito Taxi produces no greenhouse gas emissions, which helps the company meet the demands of the mayor. This prototype features a 70kW drive system designed by Zytek Automotive along with a 38kWh lithium-ion battery. The Mercedes eVito Tax is electronically limited to 75 miles per hour, an adequate speed for trips within the city.

The eVito’s introduction into London life is due in part to grant funding and the popularity of the gas-powered Mercedes Vito. Eco City Vehicles PLC and Zytek secured $3.9 million in grant funding from Advantage West Midlands. This research and development agency coordinated the eVito’s development under its Advantage Niche Vehicle Research & Development Programme. As the eVito was developed, the traditional Vito Taxi was slowly gaining ground in London’s transportation scene. The Vito now represents more than 30% of the taxis currently on the road in London after its introduction in June 2008.

London’s commitment to the eVito and other green vehicles looks solid until we reach the summer of 2012. The question that looms for public and private participants in London’s transportation industry is whether this will be an Olympic mirage. Host cities have built enormous stadiums, committed to cleaning up streets and appearing forward looking because of international attention. Once the cameras leave these host cities, however, these steps forward too often prove to be temporary. London needs to spur widespread introduction of green vehicles into public transportation not just to appease international viewers.

This commitment would show that hybrids and all-electrics are ready for the market and show a demonstration of political will for cleaner transportation. London would also be able to slash its emissions significantly with cleaner taxis and buses as these vehicles are constantly in motion. The determining factor in whether the eVito is a novelty or a reality of day-to-day life is how many of these vehicles hit London streets by the opening ceremonies in 2012.

Mercedes-Benz is introducing six clean fuel vehicles to North
America for the first time at next week’s LA Auto Show. The E350 BlueTEC diesel sedan is of immediate interest to drivers in the United States because of its upcoming rollout date. The Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC features a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine
capable of producing 210 horsepower when pushed to the limit. The automaker
touts a 30% fuel savings from the E350 BlueTEC diesel compared to its gas
counterpart. As well, the E350 BlueTEC features the AdBLUE SCR system, which
reduces nitrogen oxide emissions significantly. This model will be available for purchase throughout
the United States in spring 2010.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell display sounds like a popular destination for LA Auto Show attendees. This fuel-cell vehicle travels up to 240
miles per tank on compressed hydrogen. Mercedes-Benz notes that the F-Cell achieves
a gas-equivalent EPA rating of 86.6 miles per gallon. While the E350 BlueTEC
will hit Mercedes-Benz dealerships next year, the F-Cell requires a multi-stage
rollout beginning next fall. Mercedes-Benz will deliver 200 F-Cell units to
American and European drivers on short-term leases by fall 2010.

Visitors to the LA Auto Show will also see the ML450 Hybrid
produced by Mercedes-Benz. This dual-mode hybrid allows drivers to achieve 46%
fuel savings compared to comparable SUVs. The 3.5-liter V6 gas engine produces
335 horsepower, which meets the needs of drivers traversing hills and rough
terrain. Mercedes-Benz initiated a lease program this month for the ML450
Hybrid through European dealers. The ML450 Hybrid is currently available for
36-month and 60-month leases with monthly payments as low as $549.

The diversity of the Mercedes-Benz clean vehicle lineup
shown at the LA Auto Show provides a blueprint to other automakers.
Mercedes-Benz is introducing the E350 BlueTEC diesel around the world with the
knowledge that diesel pumps are readily available. The ML450 Hybrid lease
program will give way to an aggressive marketing and sales campaign if the
initial units perform well. The automaker is approaching the F-Cell rollout
with baby steps instead of large leaps because it is the most experimental of its alternative fuel vehicles. As Mercedes-Benz joins other
automakers in the green vehicle market, we will see that customer demand and
automotive innovation will be stifled by infrastructure. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota,
Ford and others may be responding to customer needs but government agencies are
still behind in developing clean vehicle infrastructure.

Green vehicle enthusiasts in Hamburg saw the wave of the
public transit future last week with the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro
FuelCELL Hybrid bus. The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is part of Daimler Auto Group’s
2010 rollout of fuel cell vehicles in Hamburg, Germany. The city’s public
transit system will feature 10 Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid buses by December 2010
along with 20 Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell fleet cars. These first peeks at a
production version of the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid were made possible through
years of planning by Daimler, the Hamburg City Council and other partners.

The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid was part of Daimler’s HyFLEET:
CUTE trial run in the past six years. This trial period examined the performance
of 36 Citaro prototypes in daily operation for 12 transit fleets worldwide. Daimler
gathered fuel mileage, power and maintenance across 140,000 hours and 1.4
million miles of operation from 2003 to 2009. The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid
acquitted itself well in these tests, demonstrating a 50% fuel savings compared
to the first prototype. Daimler representatives state that the Citaro FuelCELL
Hybrid achieves a 155-mile range thanks to improved fuel cells and lithium-ion
batteries. As well, the automaker notes that the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is
extremely low maintenance due to its simple drive system.

Daimler AG is currently working with the city of Hamburg as
well as private partners like Shell and Vatenfall Europe on a fuel cell
infrastructure to aid the Citaro rollout. This collaboration is designed to
reduce emissions in Hamburg with hydrogen filling stations and emissions-free
transit vehicles. The Hamburg City Council and private partners have funded
four hydrogen stations in anticipation of a larger fuel cell vehicle
rollout. These fueling stations will be monitored during the initial
Mercedes-Benz rollout to assess daily use and technical issues.

Daimler is approaching the rollout of the Mercedes-Benz
Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid the best way possible. The six-year trial of the Citaro FuelCELL
Hybrid throughout the world shows that the technology is ready today. The automaker
not only found a customer in the Hamburg City Council but also brought in
private companies to simplify the rollout. Daimler and its partners are also
working toward a fuel cell infrastructure needed to extend the range of buses
and fleet vehicles. In addition to alleviating short-term concerns over the Citaro rollout,
Daimler is opening up the possibility of fuel cell passenger vehicles within
the next decade.

The United States, Canada and members of the European Union
have all used economic recovery funds to support green technology. The German
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Reactor Safety joined
the club with a $13.4 million grant to Mercedes-Benz Vans. Germany’s Economic
Support Program will issue the grant to help Mercedes-Benz Vans produce 50
battery-electric vehicles (BEV) throughout the country. In addition to aiding
the resource-intensive R&D process, the government hopes to see an
improvement in the automaker’s fortunes in the European market.

Mercedes-Benz Vans will use most of the grant in implementing a
drive system dedicated specifically to electrical power rather than hybrid
vehicle operation. The BEVs produced with government funds will be monitored using
driver diaries addressing mileage, performance and durability. The testing process
will also look at limitations to battery-electric operation including public
charging needs and battery durability. In particular, Mercedes-Benz Vans wants to
monitor the impact of varying temperatures on lithium-ion batteries in
day-to-day operation in the midst of humid summers and frigid winters. 

This $13.4 million grant is a small part of the German
government’s National Development Plan for Electric Mobility. This long-term
development plan encourages the growth of public and private institutions within
Germany needed for electric vehicles to hit German streets. The investment made
in Mercedes-Benz Vans is an investment in the company’s Stuttgart-based research
and development facility. Ministry officials are also banking on a quick
turnaround on this investment with a projected release date of 2010 for the
initial order of BEVs, according to automaker representatives. 

Germany should receive significant dividends from this
relatively minor investment in Mercedes-Benz Vans. The automaker already has a
prototype and design in place for its battery-electric vans, which means it is
only a matter of time before a final production model is ready. Mercedes-Benz Vans states it will
focus on fleet customers with the first 50 units, which is a reliable market
for battery-electric vehicles. By opting for battery-electric power,
Mercedes-Benz Vans introduces an emissions-free option for fleet buyers that
put high mileage on their vehicles. These BEVs will also help Germany adhere to
increasingly strict standards for carbon emissions within the European Union. The
main virtue of the $13.4 million grant to Mercedes-Benz Vans is that BEVs will
become more affordable in Germany, the European Union and worldwide through
better production processes.

The Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid by Mercedes-Benz shows that the venerable automaker is blending traditional designs with green engineering. This concept hybrid made its debut on the world stage at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show to understandable excitement. Mercedes-Benz used the Vision S 400 hybrid as a model for its latest concept though the result works little like the predecessor. The German automaker did not make clear plans to turn the S 500 concept into a production vehicle but this model seems destined for the road.

Mercedes-Benz combined a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, a 44kW hybrid motor and a 10kWh lithium-ion battery to achieve greener results. The S 500 Plug-in Hybrid is capable of traveling up to 19 miles per commute on all-electric power. Mercedes-Benz claims that the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid achieves 73 miles per gallon thanks to this high-performance hybrid system. The automaker is keeping its eyes on European Union emissions standards by achieving low carbon dioxide emissions in recent testing of the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid. This concept car is said to recharge within an hour with a 20kW rapid charge and four hours with a conventional outlet.

The S 500 Plug-in Hybrid achieves the 73 MPG rating thanks to multiple drive modes and a compact battery charger. The gasoline engine does not enter the picture until the vehicle gets above a certain speed, which leads to all-electric driving in neighborhoods and low-speed areas. The ECO start/stop feature on the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid is used not only to conserve energy at full stops but boost power at high speeds. The onboard charger on the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid acts as a middle man between the charging mechanism and the exterior outlet. This device monitors charging time, electrical output and potential surges as the battery is recharged.

Mercedes-Benz has incorporated elements like the ECO start/stop feature and the lithium-ion battery in recent models. The ECO start/stop feature has been used in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter while the battery is a beefed-up version of the battery in the S 400 Hybrid. The Vision S 500 Plug-in Hybrid is more than a Frankenstein monster of Mercedes-Benz hybrid technology; it is the automaker’s concerted effort to unite these parts within a luxury frame.

Germany took a substantial step toward electrifying local and regional transit services with its inclusion of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid in its Electric Mobility Development Program. The country’s Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs is funding the use of multiple Citaro G BlueTec Hybrids within one of eight testing regions for this nationwide program. The $165 million Electric Mobility Development Program is a two-year testing program to create better alternative-fuel vehicles while stimulating the German economy.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid is a hybrid-diesel bus with limited all-electric capabilities demonstrated in early testing. This hybrid bus features an 180kW lithium-ion battery mounted within a roof compartment alongside an extensive battery cooling system. Mercedes-Benz opted for the OM 924 LA engine instead of the standard OM 457 hLA unit to reduce weight while increasing fuel efficiency. The Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid features a regenerative braking system to augment the diesel generator, thereby reducing fuel consumption by leveraging energy saved from braking.

Daimler Buses plans to produce 30 units of the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid for deployment in German test regions by the end of 2010. The automaker is extremely confident about the test vehicle’s performance based on early returns from Arctic Circle testing. Daimler Buses put the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid through weeks of road testing to determine if the vehicle can start and operate effectively in adverse conditions. In addition to the limited all-electric power of the Citaro G, the automaker has touted this vehicle’s lowered emissions in order to win favor with the German government. The Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid cuts down on diesel usage by 30% with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 20%.

The German Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs saw the eagerness of local governments to get involved in this program as soon as it solicited applications. The ministry collected 130 applications from local and regional governments throughout Germany for eight slots. The Electric Mobility Development Program is the right approach to both economic stimulus and hybrid vehicle rollouts thanks to the required rollout of EVs and hybrids by 2010. The introduction of the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid bus in eight German communities will show daily commuters the advancements in hybrid technology available with sufficient investments.

Mercedes-Benz announced last week the impending production of its
B-Class F-Cell vehicle, a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan modeled on several test vehicles designed in the past five years. The B-Class F-Cell builds on the rudimentary drive system of the
A-Class while drawing on design advancements from its combustion vehicles. The
F-Cell will be limited to 200 units in its first round of production at the end
of 2009 with vehicles delivered to customers in Hamburg and Southern
California by spring 2010. The B-Class F-Cell demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz is succeeding in
its parallel-track development of traditional and fuel-cell vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz packaged its 80kW fuel-cell stack with a 35kW
lithium-ion battery pack to put the B-Class F-Cell in motion. The fuel-cell
stack is capable of lasting 2,000 hours under optimal conditions, a
considerable upgrade over previous test vehicles. The B-Class also houses an
electric motor capable of 136 horsepower output when pressed to its
limits. Mercedes-Benz was quick to point out the zero-emissions operations of
the B-Class F-Cell as well as the fuel efficiency equivalent of 71 miles per
gallon.

The B-Class F-Cell has been in the works since 2004 when the
A-Class was used as a test vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. The A-Class F-Cell was considerably
inferior to the current model in terms of range, starting capacity and motor
output. Mercedes-Benz also built the B-Class F-Cell off the bulky F 600 Hygenius
test vehicle created in 2005. The B-Class is a more refined version of the F
600 Hygenius with a body size 40% smaller than its predecessor. The latest
fuel-cell model by Mercedes-Benz does not sacrifice power with its 30% increase
in power output and 16% decrease in fuel usage.

The B-Class F-Cell benefits from small touches by Mercedes-Benz
as well as extensive testing of the automaker’s fuel-cell system. The B-Class
houses features like a dehumidifcation system to ensure passenger comfort
without creating unnecessary waste. Mercedes-Benz has tested the A-Class,
B-Class and F 600 Hygenius over 2.7 million miles in the past five years thanks
to the hard work of 100 test vehicles. The blockade to wider use of the B-Class outside of
Europe and California is the lack of a substantial fuel cell infrastructure. The success of the B-Class in European markets and California could
be beneficial to fuel-cell advocates in the United States trying to prove that
fuel-cell vehicles are practical enough to replace traditional cars.