New all-electric A-Class E-CELL is Mercedes-Benz' third electric car

Mercedes-Benz introduces new all-electric A-Class E-CELL

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new A-Class E-CELL as its third electric car built in batch-production quantities. The five-seater with battery-powered electric drive is based on the five-door version of the current A-Class and features a generous interior space and luggage compartment for maximum versatility.

The compact storage batteries are located safely and space-efficiently in the under-floor area of the vehicle. The car’s two high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries provide a range of over 124 miles (NEDC). The car is powered by a quiet, locally emission-free electric drive with peak output of 95 hp, developing a high torque of 290 Nm.

A total production run of 500 A-Class E-CELL cars will be built at Rastatt from autumn 2010. The vehicles will be leased to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands from spring 2011.

‘Over our almost 125-year history, we have accumulated extensive experience and know how in the area of electric vehicles, including both battery and fuel-cell. This know how has already provided the basis for getting two electric cars for everyday use onto the road: the smart fortwo electric drive, and the B-Class F-CELL. The story now continues with our third electric car, the A-Class E-CELL., whose start of production is scheduled for autumn this year. The new car is a battery-driven electric Mercedes that enlarges our portfolio and offers our customers the kind of driving pleasure, comfort and safety that they have come to expect’, says Dr Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Development Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The A-Class E-CELL is an outstandingly assured and dynamic performer on the road, taking just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-37 mph. A kick-down function is used to deliver maximum acceleration in line with the charge level and battery temperature. Maximum speed is electronically set at 93 mph.

The batteries of the A-Class E-CELL can be either replenished at public charging points or plugged into an ordinary household power socket. A range of charging options are available, including single-phase 230-volt sockets, three-phase sockets in a household wall-box, and public recharging points. Using a single-phase 230-volt network, it takes around eight hours’ charging time to accumulate the energy required for a range of 62 miles (NEDC). This time is reduced to just three hours in the case of charging from a wall-box or at a roadside recharging point.

Smart fortwo electric drive

The Smart fortwo electric drive is the pioneer for exclusively battery-driven electric vehicles. In November 2009, Daimler started batch production of the smart fortwo electric drive with a run of 1000 units supplied to customers in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Switzerland and North America. Production numbers of the Smart fortwo electric drive were increased from 1000 to 1500 units the following year.

The second generation model features a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery providing a range of 83 miles and impressive driving performance. Large-scale serial production of the Smart fortwo electric drive at the Hambach plant is scheduled for 2012.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL hydrogen fuel cell

Also in November 2009, the B Class F CELL with the next generation of hydrogen fuel-cell drive technology became the world’s first vehicle of its kind to be manufactured in batch production quantities. The B-Class F-CELL with fuel cell and electric drive system carries its own fuel, and its greater range of around 248 miles allows both emission-free driving in urban traffic and longer intercity journeys.

It takes just three minutes to completely fill its tanks with hydrogen gas from a dispenser device that has already been standardised all around the world. That makes the B-Class F-CELL the electric car with the longest range and shortest ‘charging time’.

Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept car

With the Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept car, Daimler proved the feasibility of combining very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with large, comfortable automobiles. The variable drive architecture in a luxury saloon car was a world first. The technology is designed both for a fuel-cell electric drive system, with a range of around 372 miles, and for a plug-in hybrid system, with a total range of 434 miles and up to 19 miles on electric power alone.