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Mercedes-Benz launches second generation fuel cell car B-Class F-CELL Electric Car
Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL fuel cell electric car
Posted 09.14.2009 in Articles by Christopher
Mercedes-Benz has launched its second generation fuel cell car, the B-Class F-CELL, following the A-Class F-Cell first showin in 2004. About 200 of the B-Class cars, which Mercedes bills as its first series-produced fuel cell car, will be will be delivered to customers in the US and Europe next year.
Mercedes developed an entirely new fuel cell system for the B-Class F-Cell, achieving better output, torque, operating range, reliability and starting characteristics than the previous A-Class F-Cell.
The vehicle’s electrical power is generated by a high-performance fuel cell. Hydrogen stored at 700 bar is delivered to the fuel cell where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to generate current for the electric motor.
The zero-emission drive system achieves the equivalent of 71 mpg of diesel. The hydrogen storage tank, which can be refilled in about three minutes, permits a driving range of approximately 250 miles.
The electric motor is capable of producing 136 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque. Because the electric motor’s full power is available from zero revs, the powerplant peforms similarly to a standard 2-liter engine.
The fuel cell system has good cold-start performance, operating at temperatures as low as -77 F.
The B-Class F-CELL uses a 35 kW lithium-ion battery to boost power and recover kinetic energy when braking. The battery has a storage capacity of 1.4 kWh.
The B Class F-CELL uses the same sandwich floor architecture used in the A- and B-Class. The drive components are located in the sandwich floor, where they are protected and take less space from vehicle's interior.
A comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations must be created before hydrogen fuel cell cars become a widely deployed. Mercedes is working with government authorities, energy utilities and oil companies to create a hydrogen infrastructure. Pilot facilities have been created in Hamburg, Stuttgart and California.