The work of Damiler AG research and development chief Dr. Thomas Weber could have luxury electric vehicles sooner than thought locally around Chicago. New and used Mercedes dealers should become fully prepared to sell zero emission, lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles and provide service for these vehicles for customers within the next two years. Weber has begun training service personnel at Mercedes-Benz dealerships how to handle the high voltage power systems in these vehicles and how to operate the new drive systems in these vehicles, such as, electric climate control, charging the vehicle,and vehicle to vehicle integration, which with the on-board lithium-ion packs storing electricity when demand is low and feeding it back when the network is high.
Around Chicago, Mercedes dealers are also developing the interfaces between the vehicle and the intelligent charging points to enable effective, customer-friendly, convenient, everyday operation. The payment system is based on an exchange of data between an in-car communication system and the charging point. Charging points will be installed at home, at the workplace, public areas, and all Mercedes-Benz dealerships. These new vehicles will require just 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which for Chicago drivers is the equivalent of almost 30 miles per gallon for a Mercedes S-Class sedan or, a popular model around Chicago, the Mercedes E-Class Wagon.
Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Damiler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars says of the plan to release these new models, “Our joint initiative is a good example of what can be achieved when policy makers, energy suppliers, and automotive industry all work together towards the same goal. Our mobility concept is based on integrated solution combing electric cars suitable for everyday use and the appropriate charging infrastructure. In this way we are decisively improving customer friendliness and the suitability of electric vehicles.” Around Chicago, used Mercedes dealers are planning on having the first 1,000 electric smarts in dealerships this year and in the next couple of years they plan to add other battery and fuel cell vehicles.
The first concept, the Mercedes-Benz F800 style, will be unveiled in Geneva. The features on the five-passenger F800 Style include, a 300-horsepower, direct-injected gasoline V6 engine, a 109-hp electric motor integrated into the seven-speed automatic transmission, a 0-60 acceleration in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155 mph.
