Mercedes 2010 Annual Report Download - page 145

Sustainability | Innovation, Safety and the Environment | 141
BlueDirect engines set new fuel-efficiency standards. Innova-
tive technologies will enable us to further reduce the fuel con-
sumption and CO2 emissions of our vehicles. The BlueDirect V6
and V8 engines with third-generation gasoline direct injection,
which we introduced in late 2010, will help make this possible, as
they set the fuel efficiency standards in this segment. In combi-
nation with the enhanced seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic
transmission, the standard-fitted ECO start/stop function, and
the new reduced-friction converter technology, these new engines
can cut fuel consumption by more than 20%. We have set our-
selves the goal of reducing the average CO2 emissions of our
new-vehicle fleet in the European Union to less than 140 g/km
by 2012. We are steadily introducing fuel-efficient technologies
in all vehicle segments, as demonstrated by models such as
the S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which is the world’s first “five-
liter” vehicle in the luxury segment. It is also the first car in its
class with CO2 emissions of less than 150 grams per kilometer.
Environmentally friendly technologies for trucks and buses.
BLUETEC is not only one of Daimler’s key technologies, but also
a synonym for diesel engines for cars and commercial vehicles
with low pollutant emissions and enhanced fuel economy. Back
in 2005, we introduced the first Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy-duty
truck with BLUETEC technology. As the pioneer of this technology,
Daimler Trucks has consistently improved the system. We now
offer BLUETEC not only in Western Europe but also in North
America and Japan. We had sold more than 380,000 BLUETEC
commercial vehicles by the end of 2010. That indicates how
well this technology is being accepted by our customers, and
it contributes considerably to cutting fuel consumption and
pollutant emissions.
The EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) emissions
standard for engines is even stricter than Euro 5, requiring one-
third lower particulate emissions. To meet this standard, we have
further enhanced our engines and the BLUETEC technology.
As a result, we now can meet the stringent emission limits even
without additional exhaust gas aftertreatment. Daimler Trucks
is now expanding its range of environmentally friendly vehicles
by gradually introducing EEV variants into certain power classes
of trucks and buses. BlueTec EEV has been part of the expanded
range of the Mercedes-Benz Econic since January 2010. In Feb-
ruary 2010, the Fuso Canter became Daimler’s first vehicle to be
delivered as an EEV-compliant truck in all power classes as standard.
In the context of a voluntary commitment signed by various truck
manufacturers, we are pursuing the goal of reducing the CO2
emissions of the heavy-duty trucks (above 12 tons) we sell in
Europe compared with the base year of 2005 by an average
of 20% per ton-kilometer by the year 2020.
Four zero-emission vehicles in series production. At the end
of 2009, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL and the smart
fortwo electric drive became the first locally emission-free vehicles
manufactured by Daimler under series-production conditions
(see page 124). They were followed last year by the Vito E-CELL
van and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL. The Vito E-CELL,
which has been delivered to customers since September, is a
fully fledged van for everyday use and is the world’s first electric
van to be series produced. With a payload of about 900 kilograms
and a fully usable cargo area, the Vito E-CELL can take on all
of the usual transport tasks for a vehicle of its class. This quiet,
zero-exhaust van was produced in a small batch of 100 vehicles,
of which 50 are being used in Berlin and the others in the greater
Stuttgart area. Another 2,000 units of this innovative van will
be manufactured in early 2011. The A-Class E-CELL has battery-
electric drive. The vehicle is fully suited for everyday use and
as a family car, and its two highly efficient lithium-ion batteries
give it a range of more than 250 km (NEDC). The approximately
500 units of the vehicle are being delivered to selected customers
in several European countries for use as full-service rental cars.
Fuel cells in everyday use. Due to their range and suitability for
everyday use, electric vehicles with fuel cells are a promising
alternative to conventional automobiles as we head toward sustain-
able mobility. With its numerous patents and the world’s most-
tested fleet of fuel-cell vehicles, Daimler leads the development
of fuel-cell technology for automotive use. The latest generation
of our fuel-cell vehicles includes the B-Class F-CELL and the Citaro
FuelCELL Hybrid bus. The B-Class F-CELL boasts superior driving
performance and demonstrates its suitability for everyday use in
many ways, such as offering a range of about 400 km. A total
of approximately 200 B-Class F-CELL vehicles are scheduled to
be produced and tested in everyday use by customers in Germany
and the United States.
E-drive on the move: pre-series electric vehicles from Daimler.