Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

The F-Cell is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle developed by Daimler AG. Two different versions are known - the current one based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and a concept vehicle for a future version based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The first generation F-Cell was introduced in 2002, and had a range of 100 miles (160 km), with a top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h). There are 60 F-Cell vehicles leased to customers in the USA, Europe, Singapore and Japan. The future, B-Class based F-Cell has a more powerful electric engine rated at 100 kW (134 horsepower), and a range of about 250 miles (402 km). This improvement in range is due in part to the B-Class's greater space for holding tanks of compressed hydrogen, higher storage pressure, as well as fuel cell technology advances. Both cars have made use of a "sandwich" design concept, aimed at maximizing room for both passengers and the propulsion components. The fuel cell is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), designed by Ballard Power Systems.

Notable Publicity

• On May 23, 2006, Daimler announced that its fuel cell vehicle fleets had achieved a combined mileage of over 2 million kilometers (1.24 million miles). ^[1]

• On May 31, 2006, Daimler revealed that select individuals in California would be able to take their driving examination in an F-Cell. ^[2]

• On July 6, 2006, Daimler leased 1 F-Cell to DHL Japan as delivery car in Tokyo area.

References

1. ^ DaimlerChrysler fuel cell fleet passes two million kilometer mark
2. ^ California Residents Use Fuel Cell-Powered Mercedes To Get Their Driver's License