Mercedes To Phase Out Gasoline By 2015

Passion 07-09-2008

In less than 7 years, Mercedes-Benz plans to ditch petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. Focusing on electric, fuel cell, and biofuels, the company is revving up research in alternative fuel sources and efficiency.

The German car company has a few new power-trains in the line-up that European journalists have had the opportunity to test out in the Mercedes facility in Spain. One vehicle includes the F700, powered by a DiesOtto engine that combines HCCI and spark ignition to get nearly the same efficiency as diesel, but minus the expensive after-treatment systems.

The engine can run on biofuels, and we may have a purchasable vehicle by 2010 -- a year that seems to be popular for the debut of a lot of new alternative fuel car models, making ’08 and ’09 simply thumb-twiddling years for consumers. I don’t know, maybe car makers just like the roundness of “2010.” The company’s next big step will be to launch a Smart electric car which is fuel and emission-free.

Anyway, Mercedes is looking into electric vehicles, both battery-powered and fuel-cell powered. Not only are models in development, but we’ve also seen the company making steps towards its zero-petroleum goal right now, from better cabs in London to li-ion battery improvements. The company also has about 100 Smart electric cars undergoing testing in London, with that favorite 2010 year as the projected market release date.

Mercedes is making serious investments, already putting nearly $4 million into the pot of its long-term Sustainable Mobility plan, with another nearly $1.4 billion going in before 2014.

While car models may be able to run on fuels other than gasoline or diesel, we have yet to find a method of both running and producing vehicles entirely free of fossil fuels. I’m waiting for a mainstream car line that creates renewable fuel, clean-running vehicles out of 100% recycled materials in plants run on 100% renewable, clean power … Will I even be alive when that finally happens? I have hope.

Nina

Although its a long time from now I will do my best to hold out buying a new car as long as I can.

spawnschickishot

i think im good i dont drive once again!! lol ha! im such a loser

hugo281

aww come on Dreanna no your not at least you won't be worrying about paying for gas right?! as for me I drive a Scion XB and it doesn't waste that much gas but if Mercedes-Benz comes out with electric, bio-fuels, and other stuff like that then I might want to check them out when they come, but yeah you right Nina 2015 seems like its so far away, but who knows time might fly by and before you know it its already 2015

Hsoolien

It's nice to see a company swear to a specific date, however, Mercedes isn't cheap so it's customers can afford the extra expense of new powertrains

hugo281

lol right!!! yeah well let's hope that they come to their senses and not start charging a butt-load of money for these new line of cars

Hsoolien

This is nothing to do with senses, and all to do with recovery of money spent investing in figuring out the new technologies, changing plants to construct the new technology, retraining personal to build/sell/understand the new tech Getting infrastructure into place as well as the increased cost means power production runs which also increase the cost.

Hybrids cost about the same manufactured in the same quantities as their gas equivalents, but they only sell a fraction the number so costs go up

hugo281

yeah i know dude I was just joking with the senses part hehehe, well I can't wait to see what they come up with when 2015 comes around

Hsoolien

I'm hoping a large portion of the worlds oil dependency is dealt with

hugo281

well it might be i mean 2015 is a little far away but who knows maybe by that time these new line of cars might change the opinion of a lot of people and they might make a change by then

Hsoolien

I'm actually hoping to see a shift to mass transport for most long distance travel and self propelled methods for shorter distances.

hugo281

oh yeah??? well if that does happen I know I'll be wondering how they will accomplish that, and how its going to be like when these new methods are in use, I know I'll be traveling alot

Stephyi

I think that this is a excellent idea, but the price for this car when it's done is going to be more then how much it costs to get a house haha.

hugo281

lol that's true well like Hsool said hopefully some good changes will happen by 2015 hehehe

Hsoolien

Pretty mcuh everyone outside of North America has efficient effective cost efficient mass transport, it's mule headed I need a car to prove my penis size that hurts efforts here.