Extended-Range Mercedes to Launch in 2013, But in Low Numbers

By Brad Berman · January 17, 2012

Mercedes-Benz will unveil its production-ready B-Class E-Cell at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

Mercedes-Benz says it will unveil a production-ready version of the B-Class E-Cell at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April, and could add the vehicle to its US lineup in 2013. The company first unveiled the range-extended electric vehicle at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack from Deutsche ACCUmotive—a joint venture between Daimler and Evonik—the E-Cell Plus boasts an electric-only range of up to 62 miles. A 67-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine takes care of range-extending duties, providing the E-Cell with a total range of 373 miles.

The E-Cell's electric drive system pumps out 100 kW (136 hp). At low speeds, the 1.0-liter engine charges the battery via a generator. As speeds increase, the three-cylinder engine assists the vehicle's electric drive in propelling the E-Cell down the road. Mercedes-Benz says the E-Cell scoots from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 11 seconds, with a top speed of 93 mph.

The extended-range Mercedes-Benz B-Class E-Cell should reach US dealerships in 2013.

Baby Steps Only

Mercedes-Benz is quiet on the E-Cell's specific launch date and isn't yet willing to discuss production volumes, but the German automaker insists the B-Class E-Cell will enter the production cycle.

Yet, based on past statements from Daimler executives, we shouldn't expect Mercedes-Benz to do much more than dip its toe in the water. Last year, PluginCars.com spoke with Christian Mohrdieck, Daimler’s director of fuel cell and battery drive development, who characterized the EV movement as "hype." He said that battery, and fuel cell technology, takes time to develop. "People have very high expectations in terms of quality and reliability of the car," said Mohrdieck. "There will be an increasing number of battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles, but it won’t just jump from zero to 100,000 cars a year."

About the author

· Brad Berman

Bradley Berman is the editor of PluginCars.com. Brad writes about alternative energy cars for The New York Times, Detroit Free Press, Reuters and other publications. He is quoted in national media outlets, such as CBS News, ABC News, CNBC, CBC, and MarketWatch. Mr. Berman is a tireless researcher of the green car market. He is the transportation editor at Home Power magazine.

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Comments

· tterbo · 17 weeks ago

I think the biggest challenge with this car, given that it's a Mercedes will be pricing it under the Tesla sedan. I mean, who's going to drive this over a Tesla? Well, some people will, but I'd bet the kickback from the Tesla's competition would be significant.

· alt-e · 17 weeks ago

This could be pretty reasonably priced considering it is a Mercedes. This is about half way between what BMW is doing with the extended range version of their i3 and the Volt. So it may cost less for Mercedes to make this car than it costs GM to make the Volt.

· EVNow · 16 weeks ago

What does "Low numbers" mean ? Would this be a Toyota IQ-EV type vehicle available only in CA - and about 100 in total ?

If it really goes on sale - wonder how much it will cost. A 100 km EV range (62 miles) might mean close to 45 mile EPA range. That would indicate a Volt size battery.

Would this be priced close to Model S ?

· Priusmaniac (not verified) · 16 weeks ago

A few questions:

Is it a range extended EV or a parallel hybrid like the Prius Plug-in?
Can it use E100 as a fuel or is it stuck with gasoline only?
Why do they plan low numbers, isn’t it the customer’s demand that is supposed to set the production numbers?
Why call it E-cell if there is no fuel cell involved?

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Extended-Range Mercedes to Launch in 2013, But in Low Numbers

Baby Steps Only

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