With at least 10 new plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz models on sale in various markets including SA by the end of next year, development director Thomas Weber said the next generation of plug-ins would be able to run up to 100km as battery-electric vehicles.
"We are working to bring 10 plug-in hybrids to the market by the end of next year, but that will not be the end of it," he said.
"Then we work on the extension of the range based on battery development. We are working on plug-in hybrid systems based on the S-Class technology for extended range. The next generation vehicle will overcome the 30km to 50km hurdle and then the next generation after that will be 80km-100km when they run as pure electric cars."
While Mercedes-Benz will offer a fuel-cell electric car next year and deliver a pure battery electric car in 2018, the lion's share of its electrified-drive development targets the immediacy of the plug-in hybrid.
Plug-in hybrids marry an internal combustion engine (usually a petrol powered motor) with what is effectively a small battery version of an electric car. The bonus for plug-in hybrid drivers is that they can have a short-range electric car for city work, without compromising the range between fill-ups in openroad driving.
The big advantage the company has in developing all three technologies at once is that they share similar ways of delivering their energy to the wheels. "On the component side there are synergies with batteries and motors in all the electric models, and that includes the plug-in models," Weber said. "The components can be used with more than one vehicle."
Source: Business Day
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
