Mercedes-Benz set to roll out fuel-cell electric car
FRANKFURT: Mercedes-Benz will soon start handing over its latest fuel-cell electric car to fleet customers to keep a toe-hold in a promising technology hampered by the difficulties of storing and refuelling hydrogen.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell model combines a fuel cell with a2 battery that can be recharged via a wall socket, easing driver concerns about finding a service station.
For now, the manufacturer will rent out the vehicles at US$917 a month (RM3,805.55), with drivers returning the car at the end of the full-service contract. The real-world test would help improve the technology, said Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG.
“Regarding costs and standardisation we haven’t reached the goal yet, but we’re heading in the right direction,” said Juergen Schenk, the head of MercedesBenz electric-drive system integration, in Stuttgart this week.
“Fuel cells will see a breakthrough — whether that’s going to be in cars, vans or buses remains to be seen.”
Fuel-cell technology, which emits only water vapour in cars, has struggled to gain traction because of high costs, complex storage of hydrogen and a lack of infrastructure.
Fuel cells convert chemical energy into electricity through a reaction of hydrogen with oxygen or another oxidising agent. Mercedes’s model, with a driving range of 478km for fuel cell and battery, takes about three minutes to replenish the tank.