11 Jul 07
Mercedes developed SunDiesel with VW, Shell and Choren
Phase two would include natural gas and second-generation biofuels, such as the one developed by Mercedes in collaboration with VW, Shell and Choren. SunDiesel is based on the 'biomass to liquid' principle that involves using the whole of a crop. It's more or less carbon neutral and doesn't need special engines.
But what about the biggie: phase three, emissions-free driving?
Mercedes first went public with a fuel cell car 13 years ago and is about to unveil its latest one, a B-Class that will be built in limited numbers.
Mercedes-Benz F-Cell B-Class
It's also been co-operating with Ford on fuel cells, but Kohler insists the end products will be quite distinct from anything wearing the blue oval. Co-operation with rivals is essential because the problems are too big, and the timetable too tight, to be tackled alone.
'There are a number of questions that we cannot answer on our own. For example, politicians, the oil industry and automakers will have to work together to provide the legal framework, the necessary infrastructure and a reliable supply of hydrogen,' said Kohler. 'However, we are confident that we will offer market-ready fuel cell products some time between 2012 and 2015.'
Feature: BMW's new tech: who needs a hybrid
Feature: Renault's new tech: downsizing matters
Feature: VW's blueprint for a greener future
Driven: Smart Fortwo mhd
