With two different approaches Daimler now is taking another step toward zero-emission mobility. The two zero-emission vehicles, E-Smart and B-Class F-Cell will be shipped soon to selected customers. The Smart with a lithium-ion battery as the energy starts end of this year, the B-Class with fuel-heart follows next spring. Even private individuals can apply. The two-seater is good for a range of around 135 kilometers. The four-seat Van puts it in 400 kilometers.

The coexistence of both variants grounded electrical lead developer Juergen Schenk with the need to have a multi-track driving. Nobody knows exactly where to develop zero emission mobility vehicles. Since it was better to have two irons in the fire.

Volume production for the E-Smart is now underway in the French town of Hambach. Before Christmas in Germany are the first cars delivered to selected customers in the leasing process. Other European countries and the United States and Canada will follow. The first production stage includes 1 000 cars. From 2012 to begin selling on a larger scale.

About a purchase price has not yet spoken. But in the present volume move alone, the cost of lithium-ion batteries at about 10 000 per vehicle. For the monthly leasing customer 833 is charged VAT, with a term of four years, maintenance, insurance and winter tires included. That makes for four years, the bottom line of almost 40 000. Then there is the “fuel” to the outlet. Be returned after the expiry of the lease period the car must. The B-Class F-Cell will begin shipping in spring 2010 for 1 190 euros per month to 200 clients in Europe and the USA. For a period of four years, and similar terms, the cost for the tenant to more than 57 000 euros.

As with all other providers of alternative drive options will stand or fall for the sales division of Mercedes’s long-term customer acceptance with the price. But the chances are good, according to Juergen Schenk. He hopes both vehicles to rising volumes, which drive down the cost. And ran the state has. Model here is Monaco, where the prince granted any purchaser of an electric car start-up to 9 000. France has a “super environmental bonus” of 5 000 per vehicle, which emits less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Even London has this leadership role. E-cars in the city do not have to pay tolls.

The Smart can be moved 100 kilometers wide with electricity costs two to three euros. When hydrogen must be reckoned with eight per 100 kilometers. Provided further technical advances, also here three euros for the 100-kilometer distance to be achieved.

With the everyday practicality this is such a thing. The Smart has a tenant a flat bad cards. Where he is to refuel at night “? Owner of a garage with a power outlet are there better off. After two to six hours the batteries are full again. In the B-Class, the problems are different. So far, there are just eight public hydrogen filling stations in Germany. Here, the refueling period with three minutes is not worth talking about.

Both cars impress with their striking Spurtstärke, is carried away by the traffic lights at every victory over conventional drives. The fact that the engine has started after the start really well and running, we learn by looking at the dashboard. To hear is nothing. Even the silent cruising is getting used to. By the way, for pedestrians and cyclists who rely too much on road transport in their ears. Otherwise, the acceptance depends on the price and from the sufficient number of electricity and hydrogen filling stations. Until these conditions are met, it can however, still persist. Helmut Weinand / mid

Technical Data smart fortwo electric drive:
A two-seat micro car, Length / Width / Height: 2.70 meters / 1.60 feet / 1.57 meters, weight 985 pounds, locally emission-free electric motor with 30 kW/41 hp, torque 120 Nm, 0-60 km / h in 6 , 5 seconds, speed 100 km / h (limited), range 135 kilometers on a single charge, local CO2 emissions 0 g / km, price is currently only leasing model with 833 per month including maintenance, duration four years, max. Mileage 60 000 miles.

Technical Data Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell:
Four-seater van, Length / Width / Height: 4.27 meters / 1.78 meters / 1.62 meters; weight of 1 734 kilograms, locally emission-free fuel cell drive with 100 kW/136 hp, torque 290 Nm, 0-100 km / h in 11 seconds, speed 170 km / h, range 385 kilometers, local CO2 emissions 0 g / km, price is currently only leasing model with 1 190 euros per month including maintenance, duration four years, max. Mileage 60 000 miles.