The model will become Mercedes-Benz's first fuel cell powered electric car produced for the US market. The EV created by the German manufacturer is probably one of the best choices available on the market today, providing an operating range of 250 miles (400 km). The power and range are provided by a fuel cell system which comprises a 136 hp electric motor (290 Nm of torque) with cold-start capability.
The alternative to produce an electric vehicle chosen by Mercedes-Benz is based on the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. A fuel cell system generates electricity from this reaction, with the only byproduct of the process being water.
"After more than 580,000 kilometers covered with the A-Class F-CELL trial fleet in practical operation, we will continue to build on our experience with the latest generation of electric cars with fuel cell drive,” said Thomas Weber, Daimler board member for Group Research and Development.
The first region to get the model in the US will be California, which by the end of 2012 will have on its roads at least 70 such vehicles.
“The 70 B-Class F-CELL cars in customer hands in California alone are more than twice the size of the U.S. A-Class fleet and a further milestone on the way to market maturity of this technology by 2015," added Weber.
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