Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-electric A-Class E-Cell electric vehicle that will enter production this fall. The company plans to build 500 A-Class E-Cells and lease the car to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The lithium-ion powered E-Cell is based on the existing A-Class and Mercedes claims it offers the same safety, space and comfort of its petrol-powered sibling.
The E-Cell has a range of 124 miles (200 km) on a single charge and can be recharged either through mains power (which takes eight hours) or at public recharging stations (which takes three).
Nominal output from the electric motor is 68 hp (50 kw) and 95 hp (71 kw) when on boost (i.e. for overtaking). Torque is 290 Nm. Mercedes claims the E-Cell is good for 0 - 37 mph (0 - 60 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and 0 - 62 mph (0 - 100 km/h) in 14 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 93 mph (150 km/h).
The launch of the E-Cell coincides with the planned establishment of hydrogen and electric recharge infrastructure in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. In cooperation with Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Daimler will provide 700 recharge points and two to three hydrogen refilling stations in the region by the close of 2011.
By Tristan Hankins
Profile description and technical data for the A-Class E-CELL
- Locally emission-free, exclusively battery-powered electric vehicle with a range of more than 200 kilometres NEDC (new European driving cycle).
- Five-seater compact car meeting all requirements for everyday use.
- Two liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with 36 kWh storage capacity.
- Battery system location leaving spacious interior and luggage compartment completely unobstructed.
- Power electronics with integrated DC/DC converter for 12-volt supply.
- Front axle drive.
- THERMOTRONIC air-conditioning and pre-start climate control via charging plug.
- Series production run of 500 units to start in autumn 2010.
Drive system | Electric drive, lithium-ion battery |
Continuous power rating (hp) | 68 |
Peak power (boost) (hp) | 95 |
Rated torque (Nm) | 290 |
Maximum speed (mph) | 93 |
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (s) | 14 |
Acceleration from 0 to 37 mph (s) | 5,5 |
Charging time for 100 km range (NEDC) | 8 h from domestic mains socket (230 V)
3 h from wall-box / public charging point (400 V) |
Range (miles) NEDC | >124 |
Energy capacity of lithium-ion battery system (kWh) | 36 |
Payload (kg)
*) As per EG directive, including driver (68 kg) and luggage (7 kg) | 350*) |
Luggage compartment volume (l) | 435 - 1.370 |
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The 750,000th A-Class and 500,000th B-Class rolled off the production line at Mercedes-Benz' Rastatt plant in Germany. The two milestone vehicles, a lotus blue A 180 CDI and a horizon blue B 180 NGT with natural-gas drive will be delivered to customers in Germany and Great Britain respectively. Overall, the Stuttgart based automaker has produced a total of more than 2.35 million units of the two model series since the introduction of the first-gen A-Class in 1997 (second-gen model was launched in 2004) and the B-Class in 2005.
