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.
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Comments View as Flat
sjjh Posted 11:42 am
27 Jun 2008
Inventing Cars, and Re-Inventing Cars
I hope that Mercedes-Benz is serious about giving up on petrol, I will certainly aspire to own one of the new green machines when they are released...
Shea, Seattle
sjjh seattle, wa
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Tasermons Partner Posted 3:36 pm
27 Jun 2008
Haveta work faster than that...
...if they wanna avoid major fallout from high fuel prices.
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Biodiversivist Posted 3:57 pm
27 Jun 2008
It can run on biofuels?
Unless you got a source for recycled grease that's not going to do the earth any favors. A biofuel crop is one species away from being as environmentally impoverished as a mall parking lot.
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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WWAGD?! Posted 4:29 pm
27 Jun 2008
Scenes From a Mass Transit
I was watching Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage (1973).
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
Obviously
You are suffering from auto-erotic swedish troll syndrome. Watch three "Seinfelds" and a Leave It To Beaver".
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
This wouldn't happen in Sweden
"He retired after getting hit with three bullets while in a foot chase with a suspected car thief."
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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WWAGD?! Posted 4:30 am
28 Jun 2008
Motorvating In Eire
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 ...
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human power Posted 4:37 pm
29 Jun 2008
Great! More coal burning
Why are so-called environmentalists advocating more coal burning? With over half of all electricity in the U.S. coming from coal (the most CO2 intensive fuel), why would anyone want to increase grid demand with electric cars? We are going to need to get used to the notion that there is no free lunch and travel will increasingly mean a little sweat if we want a live planet for our grandchildren.
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