- Mercedes-Benz F-Cell
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Daimler AG F-Cell 
Class Fuel Cell Manufacturer Daimler AG Length 3,840 mm (151.2 in) Width 1,764 mm (69.4 in) Height 1,593 mm (62.7 in) The F-Cell is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle developed by Daimler AG. Two different versions are known - the previous version was based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and the new model is 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). The current B-Class 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 the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC) Corporation.
There are 60 F-Cell vehicles leased to customers in the USA, Europe, Singapore and Japan.
Contents
Production
In September, 2010, Mercedes-Benz announced that a limited run of 500 2010 A-Class based F-Cells will be produced and leased to European customers.[1]
In December 2010, began its B-Class based F-Cell lease program with the first delivery to Vince Van Patten, with a further 69 to be on the roads in California by 2010.[2]
Hydrogen storage
The 350 Bar (5000 PSI) hydrogen tanks for hydrogen storage contain enough fuel for a 248 miles (399 km) drive.[3] Using 700 Bar (10000 PSI) tanks the range is extended with 70 % to 421 miles (678 km).[4]
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).[5]
- On May 31, 2006, Daimler revealed that select individuals in California would be able to take their driving examination in an F-Cell.[6]
- On July 6, 2006, Daimler leased 1 F-Cell to DHL Japan as delivery car in Tokyo area.
- On January 30, 2011, three F-Cell vehicles start on a 125 day long lasting journey around the world.[7]
- On June 21, 2011, Daimler announced it was moving up commercialization of the B-Class F-CELL to 2014 [8]
Gallery
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Original A-Class based F-Cell.
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B-Class based F-Cell exhibited at the 2010 Washington Auto Show.
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B-Class based F-Cell exhibited at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.
See also
References
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz unveils the limited production A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. 2010-09-16. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/mercedes-benz-unveils-the-limited-production-a-class-e-cell-elec/. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "US: Mercedes B-Class F-Cell now available in California". Automotive World. http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/powertrain/85157-us-mercedes-b-class-f-cell-now-available-in-california. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "Concept BlueZERO". Autobloggreen.com. http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/mercedes-benz+f-cell/. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "Daimler is increasing the pressure: extended operating range for fuel cell vehicles | Daimler Global Media Site > Technology > Fuel Cells". Media.daimler.com. 2008-07-04. http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-656547-1-1100371-1-0-1-0-0-0-12639-1086040-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ Blanco, Sebastian (2006-05-30). "DaimlerChrysler fuel cell fleet passes two million kilometer mark". Autobloggreen.com. http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/05/30/daimlerchrysler-fuel-cell-fleet-passes-two-million-kilometer-mar/. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "California Residents Use Fuel Cell-Powered Mercedes To Get Their Driver's License". Emercedesbenz.com. 2006-05-31. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/May06/31_California_Residents_Use_Fuel_Cell_Powered_Mercedes_To_Get_Their_Drivers_License.html. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in Europe: Legs 1-5". Emercedesbenz.com. 2011-02-14. http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/concept-vehicles/mercedes-benz-f-cell-world-drive-in-europe-legs-1-5/. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
- ^ http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-benz/mercedes-benz-fuel-cell-car-ready-for-market-in-2014.html
External links
- Road test on USAtoday.com
- News on the German Chancellor taking delivery of an F-Cell
- Driving Impression by Tom Bird of Channel4 - Website is now defunct, so this link uses the Wayback Machine
- "Wayne State Police Department to operate world's first police fuel cell powered vehicle"
- UCLA-Driving the F-Cell
Categories:- Hydrogen cars
- Fuel cell vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles
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