Mercedes-Benz has announced that its B-Class F-Cell experimental vehicle has covered more than 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles) under normal everyday conditions.
According to the automaker, this proves that fuel cell cars are reliable even under extreme stress and over several years. Daimler AG received the “f-cell Award 2014” for this achievement in the competition for the Fuel Cell Innovation Award. “The test is a step in the direction of series-ready application of the fuel cell drive train,” said the jury formed of experts from economics, science and politics.
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell has been in day-to-day use with customers in the European and American markets since 2010. The total mileage of the Daimler fuel cell fleet, which now numbers more than 300 vehicles, including numerous research vehicles, reaches far more than 9 million kilometers (5.59 million miles).
Lessons learned from everyday testing will be used for developing the next generation of fuel cell electric vehicles. Daimler AG wants to develop a common drivetrain together with Ford and Nissan and to bring fuel cell electric vehicles to dealerships by 2017.
To support that plan, the automaker is also working on building-up the hydrogen infrastructure. “We have clearly demonstrated that the fuel cell electric drive is ready for the road. The last hurdles we will overcome in intensive cross-industry and cross-border teamwork,” said Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President Group Research and Sustainability, Chief Environmental Officer of Daimler AG.
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