In the next seven years, Mercedes-Benz wants to eliminate petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. According to AutoblogGreen, "The German giant is working on a variety of technologies that will help provide crude oil free transport such as battery electrics, fuel cells and highly efficient internal combustion engines that can operate on biofuels."
The automaker already has two new powertrains in either the concept or trial stages of development. The concept F700, which debuted in Frankfurt in fall 2007, is powered by a DiesOtto engine that combines Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition with spark ignition to get nearly the same efficiency as a diesel engine. According to the EcoGeek post, "The engine can run on biofuels, and we may have a purchasable vehicle by 2010."
Last week, Phil Lanning of the Sun (U.K.) gleefully reviewed the F700 on the track in Seville, Spain.
Of more interest to auto consumers on the left side of the pond: Mercedes also intends to offer an electric Smart ForTwo. Currently, one hundred of these adorable multi-colored vehicles scampering around London are already electric (and getting free parking -- but not for long!). Yet the official market release will not occur until 2010. Mercedes intends to offer an electric version of another model but has been tight-lipped about which one. Rumors, however, abound.
Comments
View as Flat
sjjh Posted 11:42 am
27 Jun 2008
Shea, Seattle
sjjh
seattle, wa
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Tasermons Partner Posted 3:36 pm
27 Jun 2008
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Biodiversivist Posted 3:57 pm
27 Jun 2008
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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Delay And Deny Posted 4:29 pm
27 Jun 2008
The thing is -- this is a film about middle class people going around having affairs in the city and countryside. The thing is -- they used their cars a lot! They were always driving to meet their newest lovers in a "flat" or in a country house.
I didn't see anyone get on a train at any time. So, what's with this European train fixation? If Swedes don't use the train, then who does??
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amazingdrx Posted 5:07 pm
27 Jun 2008
Dream about Eddie Haskell's police career. That should cure it. If not, lather rinse and repeat.
Or just consult this oracle (gas leak).
http://www.zippythepinhead.com/
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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amazingdrx Posted 5:16 pm
27 Jun 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Haskell
No one steals cars, only trains.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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Delay And Deny Posted 4:30 am
28 Jun 2008
Gristwits are always touting how "like in Europe they all use trains, mahnnn". No so any more.
Europeans have seen the wisdom of abandoning smelly crowed flats and sprawling into the suburbs just like real Americans:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/world/europe/07cars.htm ...
No trains run to the new suburbs where hundreds of thousands of Dubliners now live, and the few buses going there overflow with people. So nearly everyone drives -- to work, to shop, to take their children to school -- in what seems like a constant smoggy, traffic jam. Since 1990, emissions from transportation in Ireland have risen about 140 percent, the most in Europe. But Ireland is not alone.
Vehicular emissions are rising in nearly every European country, and across the globe. Because of increasing car and truck use, greenhouse-gas emissions are increasing even where pollution from industry is waning.
The 23 percent growth in vehicular emissions in Europe since 1990 has "offset" the effect of cleaner factories, according to a recent report by the European Environment Agency. The growth has occurred despite the invention of far more environmentally friendly fuels and cars.
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human power Posted 4:37 pm
29 Jun 2008
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