2011 will see the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL, whose manufacture commenced in 2010, be handed over to selected customers in Hamburg and other German cities for demonstration and testing purposes in regular daily operation. The delivery of these vehicles by Daimler AG in Hamburg promotes fuel cell mobility in this lighthouse region and ensures it remains an important part of the CEP’s fuel cell vehicle fleet in Europe.
Fuel cells in the automotive sector provide a local emission-free drive alternative with maximum efficiency. In contrast to battery-electric drives, this technology can simultaneously deliver both the range and refuelling times found in vehicles with conventional drives, yet with zero emissions. Fuel cell vehicles can therefore make a decisive contribution to what is regarded as one of the greatest challenges for the future of individual mobility: a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants in a market that continues to grow.
In order to comprehensively develop the so-called lighthouse region of Hamburg along with those of other German cities – which includes taking the associated hydrogen production needs, refuelling infrastructure as well as the servicing of the vehicles and refuelling facilities into account – the relevant industry partners have founded the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) in association with the involved German Federal States. The National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP) plays a decisive role through targeted promotion to help establish this key future technology and develop a functioning market.
Funding Code
03BV213