Mercedes Drops Full Details On GLC F-Cell Before Deliveries Begin

Following last year’s reveal as a pre-production model, Mercedes has now unveiled the GLC F-Cell in production specification.

The timing coincides with the model’s first deliveries scheduled for the end of October. The new model adopts a unique plug-in hybrid setup combining fuel-cell and battery technologies for the first time. As a result, the GLC F-Cell runs both on electricity and hydrogen.

In hybrid mode, the SUV can cover up to 478 km (297 miles) with a full tank of 4.4 kg of hydrogen. The tank can be filled within three minutes, just like a normal combustion-engined car. In all-electric mode, the GLC F-Cell can drive for up to 51 km (31.7 miles). Both estimates are slightly up compared to the pre-production model.

The lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 13.5 kWh and also serves as an energy source for the 155-kW (211-PS/208-hp) electric motor. Charging the battery is done via a 7.4kW onboard charger at a standard household socket, a wall box, or a public charging station. Replenishing the battery from 10 to 100 percent SoC (State of Charge) takes approximately 1.5 hours.

The compact fuel cell system is housed in the engine compartment and installed at the same mounting points as a conventional engine. The motor and battery are installed in the rear of the SUV.

There are four operating modes for the GLC F-Cell: Hybrid, F-Cell, Battery, and Charge. In Hybrid mode, the vehicle draws power from both energy sources. In F-Cell mode, the fuel cell keeps the battery’s state of charge constant, which means the SUV consumes just hydrogen.

Battery mode ensures the GLC F-Cell runs all-electrically and the fuel-cell system is not in operation. Finally, Charge mode means that charging the battery is the main priority. An energy recovery function is active in all operating modes.

Mercedes will start delivering the GLC F-Cell at the end of October, initially focusing on major German cities that already have hydrogen filling stations. Those include Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, Cologne and Düsseldorf. The vehicle will not be available to buy outright. Instead, Mercedes opted for a full-service rental model that includes all maintenance and possible repairs, as well as a warranty package.

The automaker wants to help the expansion of hydrogen filling stations and has already come out with an action plan. Together with its partners in the H2 Mobility joint venture, Mercedes targets the expansion of the H2 filling network in Germany from 51 to 100 stations. The long-term objective is to have a network with up to 400 hydrogen refueling stations. Similar infrastructure projects will be implemented in the rest of Europe, the United States, and Japan.