Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive: One way to celebrate their 125th anniversary
On the occasion of the ceremony accompanying the 125th anniversary of the invention of the automobile in Stuttgart January 29, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the Board of Daimler AG, Dieter Zetsche, have given kickoff symbolic of the "Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive." Three Mercedes-Benz B-Class with a fuel cell "zero emission" local leave Stuttgart on January 30 for a world tour of 125 days. The three B-Class F-CELL will cross four continents and 14 countries, before reaching the point of arrival in Stuttgart. With the F-CELL World Drive, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates the technological maturity and the ability to daily use of its vehicles. Concurrently, the company and urged the political world on the need to establish a global infrastructure of service stations for fuel cell vehicles has.
It is 29 January 1886 that Carl Benz filed the patent for his vehicle has gas propulsion under the number 37435, thus laying the first step towards a new form of mobility. 125 years later to the day, on 29 January 2011, Daimler AG took the opportunity not only to go back in time and put in light the stages that mark the evolution of the automobile, but also to give a concrete overview of the future of mobility. That is why the organizers chose this event to give the symbolic kickoff of the first round the world aboard a fuel cell vehicles in series, the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive.
The three B-Class F-CELL that take the starting Jan. 30 were brought on stage by the Mercedes-Benz drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard before Dieter Zetsche and Angela Merkel together give the kickoff symbolic this long journey. The three Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL will demonstrate, on a circuit 30 000 km, they are reliable and safe over long distances, as well as the roads and most diverse climatic situations. "125 years after the invention of the automobile, the B-Class F-CELL represents for us a form of reinvention of mobility," said Dieter Zetsche, stressing the importance of this innovative vehicle a fuel cell. "This tour unique world of its kind aboard a fuel cell vehicles ready for commercialization demonstrates once again that the pioneering spirit that animates us is still sufficient for at least 125 years of additional innovations. "
The fuel cell: for emission mobility without compromise or
The electric vehicle has fuel cell combine the advantage of a high autonomy has a charging time of particularly short tank. They contribute to a non-local emission mobility in major urban centers such as on long journeys. Moreover, besides its application in the particular cars, propulsion fuel cell can be used in other types of vehicles such as buses. These potentials have been identified quickly by Mercedes-Benz, 1994 terminating the presentation of the first fuel cell vehicle was baptized NECAR 1. Since Mercedes-Benz has made tremendous progress in the development of this technology and acquired technological maturity very high. On the B-Class F-CELL, for example, all standard development and production applicable to the series for the first time have been applied to an electric vehicle a fuel cell. All F-CELL components meet the severe requirements of Mercedes-Benz in terms of quality, reliability and longevity.
In addition to a zero emission mobility locally, the B-Class F-CELL offers all the features specific to the brand: safety, comfort, power and sovereign copy operation, all associates has a perfect fitness for everyday use and a pleasure to conduct unlimited. Mercedes-Benz wants to demonstrate the F-CELL World Drive the high degree of maturity reached by the technology of a fuel cell and highlight the potential of the latter on a global scale. This world tour is also a challenge: the hydrogen supply infrastructure. "For this form of mobility become possible a global level, the development of a network of hydrogen adapts stations is essential. We must join forces to achieve, "stated Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG, Head of Research at the group level and Development within Mercedes-Benz Cars division. "We have fulfilled our mission: the B-Class F-CELL brilliantly illustrates the contribution that electric vehicles can make today the mobility of tomorrow. It enables local emission-free driving, both on short trips over long distances. And we will do the demonstration in the F-CELL World Drive, "he adds.
4 continents, 14 countries and 30 000 km in 125 days
The trip will commence on January 30 in Stuttgart south via Paris, Barcelona and Madrid before joining the Portuguese capital Lisbon, or vehicles leave the European soil and continue their journey by plane, destination is the coast of the United States. Fort Lauderdale (Florida), the B-Class F-CELL will cross the North American continent from east to west, along the Gulf of Mexico, up to Los Angeles (California). The tour will then continue northward along the west coast of the United States, up to Vancouver (Canada). After a journey of about a month and more than 7 500 km, the vehicles leave behind them the North America to travel around eastern Australia. Starting in Sydney, the B-Class F-CELL will travel more than 5 000 km along the southern coast of the continent, stopping in Melbourne and Adela i before joining Perth. The final transfer of the tour of the globe will lead the F-CELL World Drive in Asia, in Shanghai (China).
A distance of more than 10 000 km, the vehicle has fuel cell cross the Eurasian continent until Moscow, through the Chinese capital Beijing and the cities of Astana and Almaty Kazakhstan. A circuit that Mercedes-Benz knows particularly well: in 2006, 33 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have already traveled these regions in the other direction, from Paris to Beijing as part of the rally "E-Class Experience." The last stages of the itinerary easily bring the vehicles through northern Europe. Starting from Saint-Petersburg, Russia, they will join the Swedish capital Stockholm via Finland. The F-CELL World Drive will also in Oslo in Norway before returning to Germany from Denmark, by including stopover in Hamburg. After a journey of 125 days, including 70 days of driving, the circuit will complete early June in Stuttgart.
More than 20 stops
During the F-CELL World Drive, Mercedes-Benz not only put on the demonstration of the performance of its vehicles, but also take it around the world to attract more attention to the potential of the technology of fuel cell on a global scale. Local activities spread over more than 20 days will be organized at different stages of the itinerary to allow intensive exchanges on the topic of electromobility. Political and partners world Stuttgart automaker also be integrated to these actions.
Participants around the world will include visit to car2go mobility project developed in the Texan city of Austin, who was the first non-European city to implement - with a resounding success - this innovative mobility concept. A few days later, Vancouver (Canada), the participants will at Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, which developed the particular stack of fuel cells used on the B-Class F-CELL. This company founded in 2007 and comprises Daimler as the majority shareholder (50.1%). Other partners are Ford Motor Company (30%) and Ballard Power Systems (19.9%). A Vancouver, participants around the world have also the opportunity to meet the researcher and adventurer Mike Horn and discover live the PANGAEA Expedition, which Mercedes-Benz is the main sponsor. This expedition launched in October 2008 crosses all continents and the North Pole and the South Pole. On the occasion of this journey around the world, Mike Horn, head of the expedition, organizes ecological and social projects with young people around the world. In addition, the F-CELL World Drive will be present in China for several days on the "Auto Shanghai", the biggest auto show in Asia.
The challenge of infrastructure
The establishment of an expanse of hydrogen distribution infrastructure for electric vehicles has fuel cell is an essential factor in the commercial success of this technology. So far, there are about 200 worldwide stations for the supply of a fuel cell vehicle. The still small mesh network supply hydrogen thus a major logistical challenge for refueling vehicles the journey.
The exclusive partner of Mercedes-Benz F-CELL during World Drive is Linde Group, whose expertise in matters of hydrogen and the presence on an international scale will ensure the supply of vehicles throughout their turn the world. A mobile supply unit developed in collaboration on the basis of a Sprinter Mercedes-Benz accompanies the caravan and guarantees the distribution of hydrogen on the sections draw back of course. This vehicle specifically designed for supplying the B-Class F-CELL meets several requirements: In addition to a supply pressure of 700 bar, it displays compact dimensions to ensure the airline.
Outside the F-CELL World Drive, Daimler and Linde also work in close collaboration to meet in the coming years, has a growing demand for hydrogen bound to the increasing number of vehicles has a fuel cell in circulation. As part of the "H2 Mobility" initiative, for example, the two companies have been engaged since 2009 in favor of the overall development of a hydrogen infrastructure in Germany, in collaboration with leading energy suppliers, large companies in the oil industry and other partners.
Towards sustainable mobility
In recent years, Daimler has clearly affirmed its position as a pioneer in the field of alternative drive systems. On the road to sustainable mobility, the group continued resolutely a program that explores several ways: the three main areas of development concern the optimization of vehicles with state of the art combustion engines, the continuous improvement of efficiency thanks to a hybridization measure and adapted to the needs and the deployment of electric vehicles and zero emission locally, powered by fuel cells or batteries.
In this regard, the company voluntarily put on several concepts electromobility. Thus, the vehicle supplying battery is developed as zero issuance solution for urban traffic, while a fuel cell vehicles will also lend grace to long distance trips at an elevated autonomy and tank filling time limit. With the B-Class F-CELL, the A-Class E-CELL, the smart fortwo electric drive and the Vito E-CELL, the company is able to present a present of four non-polluting vehicles, capable of a production series.
E-Drive modular system for maximum efficiency
To obtain a rapid commercialization of electric cars series while achieving maximum efficiency in terms of costs, Mercedes-Benz uses the modular system E-Drive developed by him. This clever concept allows a large proportion of identical parts in a wide variety of electric vehicles - they operate with a battery or a fuel cell. The use of components unique to the entire group can reduce the time and cost of development, while ensuring a more limited production.
All key components of electric vehicles lend themselves to this modularization, whether the electric motor, gearbox, battery, the concept of security and high-voltage wiring or software. In the case of F-CELL versions of specific components such as stacks or reservoirs of hydrogen can be carried out at the same in very different vehicles, for example by varying their number as required?: the fuel cell buses Mercedes-Benz and roll with two systems designed for passenger cars, the kind that the Team B-Class F-CELL. In addition, the electric motor of the B-Class F-CELL is the same as that of the new A-Class E-CELL.
Powerful lithium-ion batteries
Daimler is associated with a partner to develop a targeted manner lithium-ion batteries at the forefront of modernity. It is on this basis that are created customized solutions for unique product portfolio in the world, has satisfied all the requirements of mobility. In this regard, Daimler uses its own know-how, from long years of research. To date, the company has filed more than 750 patents on a battery vehicles - more than 380 in the field of lithium-ion technology. Effective collaborations with competent partners help ensure optimal compliance with specific requirements for vehicles and applications, in terms of battery systems.
Examples society Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG, specialized in the integration-system, development and production, as well as research and distribution systems based on battery the lithium-ion technology. The incorporation of these self-produced batteries in vehicles Daimler-planned from 2012.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL fuel cell has
The first electric car was perfectly suited for everyday use, endowed dynamism and ride comfort of a two-liter petrol version. With New B-Class F-CELL, Mercedes-Benz is launching its first electric vehicle was powered fuel cell manufactured in series. Production in small series of this car maker has already started ecological. In 2010, the first 200 vehicles designed books were to customers in Europe and the United States. The central element of the B-Class F-CELL is the new generation of electric propulsion a fuel cell, compact, efficient, safe and perfectly suited to everyday use.
The fuel cell generates the traction current board has zero emissions, the only degagee substance during this process being water. The main components of the propulsion are housed in the sandwich floor, which protects and helps preserve the entirety of the interior volume and trunk. Providing significant autonomy of nearly 400 km and requiring little time to do a full, the B-Class F-CELL combines locally own mobility, ability to travel long distances for roads and convincing performance. With an output of 100 kW/136 hp and a torque of 290 Nm sovereign, the electric motor provides driving pleasure and dynamics comparable to those of a gasoline engine 2.0-liter cylinder. The B-Class F-CELL shows a consumption of only 3.3 liters of fuel (diesel equivalence) to one hundred kilometers according to the NEDC.
On the technical side, propelling the B-Class F-CELL is based on an optimized version of the fuel cell system the very latest generation. Thus, with respect to the Class F-CELL 2004, the system is more compact (nearly 40%) and developed a power increase (+ 40%) and low power consumption (- 30%). The major components of the propulsion are:
· The fuel cell stack, particularly in compact size
· The powerful lithium-ion battery
· Three tanks under pressure allowing the hydrogen compressed to 700 bar
· The compact and lightweight drive motor at the front axle
Cold start can be up to - 25 degrees Celsius
The fuel cell module in the B-Class F-CELL is characterized by a very good ability to cold start (up to - 25 ° C). The system features a new humidification system hollow fiber. Thus, unlike the first generation of fuel cell, water can not freeze in the stack, making them more difficult cold starts. Today, even at a temperature of - 15 degrees Celsius, the startup time of the B-Class F-CELL is comparable to that of a vehicle equipped with a modern diesel engine. A strategy for specific operation ensures that the stack of the fuel cell reached as quickly as possible its optimum operating temperature (about 80 degrees Celsius) after the boot of the vehicle. Thanks to the efficient cooling system and intelligent temperature management, this ideal value is kept constant in all conditions.
Autonomy of almost 400 km with a full
The hydrogen used in the operation of the fuel cell is stored at a pressure of 700 bars in the three reservoirs of the vehicle. These tanks can accommodate almost 4 kilograms of the gaseous fuel. They are perfectly airtight, making it impossible to hydrogen release into the environment, even if prolonged stop of the vehicle. Thanks to the compression ratio increases, the B-Class F-CELL possesses considerable autonomy: nearly 400 km per tank, two times more than the Class F-CELL. A standardized system for filling reservoirs can procure hydrogen readily and quickly, in less than three minutes.
Consumption equivalent to 3.3 liters of diesel per 100 km
The electric motor, a synchronous permanent magnet, delivers a maximum power of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, as with any electrical pupil but available for the first few laps engine. The B-Class F-CELL and shows particularly remarkable possibilities and provides high dynamic performance, sometimes even significantly higher than those of a two-liter petrol version. And yet, this electric motor "zero emission" a fuel cell consumes the equivalent of 3.3 liters of fuel (diesel equivalence) per 100 kilometers (NEDC).
Compact lithium-ion battery has high capacity for accumulation
The current is in stores very high voltage performance lithium-ion battery. Thereof, with a capacity of 1.4 kWh energetics, is cooled by the intermediate climate system of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz applies to the battery B-Class F-CELL the lessons learned from the lithium-ion technology developed for the S 400 HYBRID class. The lithium-ion battery presents several advantages: compact dimensions and performance significantly higher than those of the old nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH). Compared to NiMH technology, it offers 30% energy density and 50% more power density. In addition, it is distinguished by a charging efficiency and exemplary pupil longevity.
Intelligent management of transmission for optimum efficiency
During the development of the B-Class F-CELL, Mercedes-Benz strategy optimizes the operation of the electric propulsion fuel cell. During cold starts a particularly low outside temperatures, the electric motor is in electrical energy supply not only the lithium-ion battery, but also by the fuel cell system setting off. A higher outside temperatures, the battery power is sufficient, and a fuel cell being activated later as needed power. While driving, the energy management system constantly maintains the F-CELL in the optimum operating range. The lithium-ion battery plays an active way to compensate for the deviation of electrical power required in a given driving situation.
At each stop, and the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the electric motor converts kinetic energy into electrical energy stored in the battery (recovery process). During maneuvers or short trips, the electric drive motor works with the current builds up in the battery. If the capacity of stored energy is insufficient, the fuel cell automatically engages. Depending on requirements, the intelligent management decided to use the transmission of electrical energy from the lithium-ion battery alone, the fuel cell only or both systems at the same time in order to achieve optimal efficiency and maximum benefit for the client.
Perfect fitness for everyday use
All five seats and a luggage trunk volume (416 liters) make the B-Class F-CELL has a perfectly fit vehicle for everyday use, including families. The main components of the electric propulsion fuel cell are implanted in the basement, which is an asset to the center of gravity of the vehicle, congestion and safety. This design presents the following advantages:
· The generous habitability Class B is preserved in its entirety; no compromise is made in terms of passenger volume of the chest or modularity.
· The center of gravity is low, or the driving behavior and particularly on agile.
· Thanks to the layout of the main components of the propulsion and hydrogen tanks between the two axles, safety accident peaked
Feature of Mercedes-Benz.
The B-Class F-CELL offers a total driving pleasure and perfect fitness for daily use - without issuance pollution locally. In terms of equipment, this innovative electric car will seduce you with such a special paint in silver bonamite and exclusive alloy wheels 10 branches. Thanks to Fittings, including leather upholstery and heated seats, automatic climate control and a COMAND system and the level of comfort offered is remarkable. The dynamic display of the energy flow on the screen of the COMAND system informs the driver at any time the state of charge of the battery, the operating mode of the system of fuel cell, and hydrogen stations available in the vicinity.
The safety before all standards at the highest level
Mercedes-Benz applies to the B-Class F-CELL same safety standards higher than in all other vehicles of series of the brand. This is highlighted by the remarkable results obtained in case of accident, this innovative vehicle winning the maximum number of points (five stars) to european NCAP tests (New Car Assessment Programme). The integrated safety concept of the B-Class F-CELL takes into account the specific characteristics of the innovative drive system. In this context, particular have been taken advantage of the lessons learned over many years by Mercedes-Benz in the field of electric propulsion fuel cell (Class F-CELL) and high voltage technology with lithium battery ion (Class S 400 HYBRID).
The Mercedes-Benz engineers have tested the safety of specific powertrain components, including hydrogen tank in more than 30 crash tests on the B-Class F-CELL. The hydrogen tanks are housed in the sandwich floor, sheltered from shocks. They contain hydrogen compressed to 700 bar and are designed to withstand all conceivable loads.
In a collision, the safety valves close the pipes supplying the hydrogen in a fuel cell and decouple the tanks from the other components of the system. The hydrogen can not represent any risk, even after a very violent shock. If action of heat too high following a fire, commissioned by the level of temperature control valve allows flow of the contents of reservoirs.
Based on the lessons learned from the hybrid technology of the Class S 400 HYBRID, the lithium-ion battery and high-voltage B-Class F-CELL system are associated to a broader concept of security in seven points.
· All cables are characterized by a specific color in order not to be confused, and have the relevant safety instructions. This prevents unintentional errors mounting level of production and facilitates the revision controls.
· Protection integral whole system thanks to a generously PROPORTIONED and has special insulation sheets.
· The lithium-ion battery is housed in a casing in high resistance steel. Other safety features: the opening of discharge with bursting disc and cooling separated. An internal electronic sensor monitors the safety and reports immediately any deficiencies.
· All high-voltage components are connected together by an electric loop. In case of a fault, the high-voltage system is automatically cut.
· Discharge of active high-voltage ignition system that is set to "off" or an abnormality occurs.
· In case of accident, the high-voltage system is completely disables a few fractions of a second.
· Permanent Controls the appearance of short-circuit in the system.
Thanks to their high level of safety, the vehicles Mercedes-Benz fuel cell are no restrictions on access to underground parking, the parking garages or tunnels submitted.
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