With the BlueZero Concept, Mercedes-Benz is redefining its familiar design idiom. Among the main design elements are the adistinctive radiator grille with a large star in the middle and dynamic lateral lines on the flanks.

“The flexible BlueZERO concept basically allows electric mobility for every requirement,” says Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG Board member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes- Benz Cars Development.

“It also highlights the fact that Mercedes-Benz is the only automaker to already have all the key technologies for electric cars that are suitable for everyday use.”

Three models with different electric drives can be produced on the basis of a single vehicle architecture — the sandwich floor from the A-Class and B-Class.

This architecture makes it possible to realize three models with different energy sources for the electric motor:

• E-CELL with battery
• E-CELL Plus with battery and gasoline
• F-CELL with hydrogen

All three models are packed with liquid-cooled lithium- ion batteries with up to 35 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity and front-wheel drive.

The compact electric motor between the front wheels has a maximum output of 100 kilowatts, continuous output of 70 kilowatts, and peak torque of 320 newton-meters.

All three of the variants can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in less than 11 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 150 kilometers per hour to ensure optimal cruising range and energy efficiency.

According to Mercedes-Benz, "the B-Class F-CELL is very much anchored in the present: A small-batch production run of a model with a lithium-ion battery is scheduled to begin in 2009. "

The group’s sustainability concept also includes fuel cell drive systems for commercial vehicles. The Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid city bus, is equipped with two fuel cell systems that are identical to those in the B-Class F-CELL.

Daimler’s fuel cell fleet has so far been driven a combined total of 4.4 million kilometers under everyday conditions. Additional vehicles will follow.

"Ten of the latest generation fuel cell buses and 20 B-Class F-CELL vehicles will hit the streets of Hamburg, Germany, in 2010. And by 2015, as many as 1,000 fuel cell vehicles could be under way in Hamburg — provided there will be more public hydrogen filling stations than the four that have initially been planned."

(Source: Mercedes-Benz)