Mobility in an Electric World
Article Richard Simonds and Axel Catton
Images Daimler Global Media
The dividing line that separates a dramatically different future from the familiar present is often very difficult to discern. When Mercedes-Benz announced at the Paris Auto Show in October 2016 that it was implementing a new corporate strategy called “electric mobility” and then followed it up with a special edition of Mercedes-Benz Next, its innovation and technology magazine, most journalists frankly were hard-pressed to see what was new. After all, the electric-powered Smart, plug-in hybrids and lithium-ion batteries – not to mention fuel-cell power – had been on the Mercedes-Benz show stand since the Geneva show in 2009.
E-mobility
The difference now is that the company’s stated goal is that “all Mercedes-Benz models series will be electrified.” According to Dr. Thomas Weber, member of Daimler’s board of management and head of Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, the intention is to enhance the efficiency of electric power across all automobile ranges, as well as in delivery vans, buses and heavy trucks.
Electric mobility will not just be about cars, but an entirely new experience for electronic-vehicles users worldwide. As described by Mercedes CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche, “The Mercedes mobility of the future stands on four pillars: connected, autonomous, shared and electric. Generation EQ is the logical fusion of all four pillars. The emission-free automobile is the future. And our new EQ brand goes far beyond electric vehicles. EQ stands for a comprehensive electric ecosystem of services, technologies and innovations.” Futurists can envision anything from fast-charging, home-based lithium-ion batteries for extra storage to telematics-influenced energy management.
Generation EQ
Although the Smart car is already the first brand from any manufacturer that offers a full lineup of models with battery-electric and internal-combustion power trains, a highlight featured on both the Paris and Detroit show stands was the “Generation EQ” concept car – a sign of things to come and a representative of the fully electric Mercedes car of the future.
The concept car’s “monolithic design” (Mercedes-Benz press kit speak) hints at an SUV-type model similar to a GLC: less edgy than current products with flowing lines, round curves, a tinted roof and gleaming black hood. Zetsche confirmed that the concept is aimed at the younger generation. The launch – streamed live on Facebook – showed the concept, but there were more tangible elements, too.
The concept-car’s front sports a blue electro-look flat surface where the grille would have been, perhaps a nod to conventional auto design, but also an opportunity to include the three-pointed star in a familiar environment. Behind that faux grille will be two electric motors, according to Mercedes, with a scalable system output of up to 300 kW (equivalent to 400-plus horsepower) driving all four wheels. As with other fully electric vehicles, acceleration will be fun: The dash from 0 to 60 mph is supposed to take less than 5 seconds. A range of up to 310 miles per charge has been promised, but as we know, you get either high performance or a long range, not both.
Inside the concept car, the driver-oriented cockpit brings a new look to Mercedes cars. Simple, touch-based controls with the new electro-look design predominate, reflecting what’s going on with the exterior design. Most notable is the large floating wide-screen display slightly angled toward the driver.
The architecture of the electric system is modular so that any battery size can be placed into any size of vehicle. The full-featured electric vehicle in the premium segment will eventually have zero-emissions vehicles using new 48-volt battery technology, offering a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) throughout the premium range of vehicles. A new Combined Charging System (CCS) for electric and hybrid vehicles is being introduced in Europe as this is written.
The concept vehicle is optimized to meet every requirement for the future-oriented, battery-electric model family of cars. With VW pulling out of the U.S. diesel market and putting all its effort into electro-mobility, and Tesla continuing to grow as a competitor in the luxury-car market, Daimler appears to be on the right track. The EV field is expected to be a harder-fought market than in years past; Generation EQ looks like it will be a major player in that game.
Though reluctant to promise that Generation EQ would be built, Zetsche said the concept was “close to production.” Distinctive elements in the company’s strategy are that Mercedes would not need to build an entirely new factory to produce this all-electric SUV (take that, Tesla) but would be able to combine production of electric and conventionally driven vehicles within one facility. In addition, Daimler will be sourcing its high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries for EQ models from its own subsidiary, Deutsche Accumotive.
Hybrids and fuel cells
Presently, Mercedes-Benz offers two all-electric models, the B-Class and Smart. In addition, it sells 10 hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for sale worldwide, the broadest lineup of these vehicles in the luxury segment of the market. By 2020, each Mercedes-Benz model line is expected to have at least one plug-in hybrid variant. A key component of this technology is the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) installed directly in the power train to provide energy recovery, a boost in acceleration, and driving in all-electric mode. When the 48-volt battery under development becomes available – providing four times more power at the same amperage as a 12-volt system – it will add to the hybrid power train’s efficiency.
In addition to electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell technology has been in development for more than a decade. The GLC F-Cell will be available in late 2017 with plug-in technology for the lithium-ion battery and 3-minute refueling at hydrogen service stations. With its fuel-cell apparatus in the traditional engine bay and batteries in the floor space, this contemporary compact SUV provides the benefits of zero-emissions battery operation with a range of 310 miles, and both urban and long-distance travel with a fuel cell that emits only water-vapor exhaust. The fueling-station infrastructure is being developed now in California and Germany; if the concept is proven to be practical, other regions can be expected to follow.
Connectivity
In the world of e-commerce, “time is money.” Anything that can save time and improve both efficiency and effectiveness is good for a company and its customers. The creative Sprinter Vision Van concept, part of a Daimler AG initiative called “adVANce,” will provide networking, hardware solutions and mobility concepts from research divisions in Stuttgart, Berlin and Silicon Valley.
The Sprinter Vision Van is intended to provide connectivity in ordering and delivery by placing packaged orders into the automated cargo space in delivery order based on vehicle frouting to minimize back-tracking, and to use all-electric power from warehouse to customer. The envisioned system might even use drones to deliver packages to customers, saving time by not having to stop for each delivery. The urban van has a range of up to 270 kilometers (167 miles) depending on the payload; current estimates calculate that the Sprinter Vision Van could increase delivery productivity by 50 percent while meeting zero-emissions requirements being established in many U.S. and European urban centers.
Closer in time and practicality, the company is highlighting a Canter E-Cell light-duty delivery truck from the Fuso division, an all-electric vehicle that shows great promise for e-commerce: It’s being tested by Stuttgart’s Municipal Utilities company for service calls and by the Hermes distribution center outside Stuttgart for deliveries.
With a 14-hour overnight charge and the ability to get a 50-percent charge in an hour during the day, the Fuso Canter E-Cell has proven to be a versatile, economical and emission-free way to make deliveries of up to two tons with a current range of 80 kilometers (50 miles), sufficient for urban use. In addition to emission-free driving, the noise-free environment in the E-Cell cabin reduces driver fatigue. Initial reports show the all-electric van is saving €100 over 10,000 km (6,300 miles) in comparison to a diesel truck.
For long-distance trucks, Mercedes-Benz Uptime is an automated system that uses sensors already on long-haul trucks to notify the driver and maintenance staff when something needs attention before it fails, minimizing downtime. By tracking maintenance needs in real time, Uptime saves time and money.
For heavy-duty inter-city distribution, Mercedes-Benz is developing the Urban eTruck with a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles). The 26-ton Urban eTruck is the logical supplement to the emission-free local delivery system that can address logistics problems of the 2-ton Fuso Canter E-Cell and Sprinter Vision Van automated delivery system to improve life for urban dwellers worldwide.
Projections are that 70 percent of nine billion people will be living in cities worldwide by 2050 – that’s 6.3 billion people who will want to breathe clean air and get around their city. This family of new modes of transportation – from urban cars to buses and e-commerce deliveries – will help address these issues.
Autonomous driving
E-mobility is not limited to cars and trucks. In the past, city buses were designed for efficiency rather than comfort; passengers looked forward to the end of their journey so they could get off the bus: in contrast, the Future Bus offers a pleasurable experience for riders. The city-center bus on trial in Amsterdam since July 2016 is proving, according to the press releases to be “almost too nice to leave.”
Based on the Citaro bus platform (in production for more than 20 years), the Future Bus interior has three zones: the front near the driver for service where passengers validate their rides with an automated ticketing system; an express area without seats in the middle for short journeys; and a lounge in the rear for longer trips. Several 43-inch monitors provide route information to passengers.
With a low floor, soft lighting, comfortable seats, large double doors for entry and egress, mobile WiFi hotspots and a virtually silent ride, the new Future Bus is truly inviting to the urban commuter; not something they have to do, but something they want to do.
The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus is proving that it can work in an urban environment by coming to a precise stop at bus stops and traffic lights, resume pace automatically, pass through tunnels, brake for obstacles and pedestrians on the road, and communicate with signaling systems while driving – all autonomously and more smoothly than a human driver. In trial tests, the driver only acted as a supervisor who didn’t need to intervene even once.
In summary
Daimler AG is making great strides in passenger cars, buses, vans and trucks with technologies that improve the driving experience, make driving safer and address the needs for zero-emission vehicles … all while looking forward to what driving will be like in the near- and longer-term future.
LEFT: The Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept. ABOVE, FROM TOP: The driver-focused interior of the Generation EQ concept. The new smart electric car on the show stand. Mercedes-Benz GLC fuel-cell vehicle. The new Sprinter Vision Van concept, part of Daimler AG’s “adVANce Strategy”.
FROM TOP: The Fuso Canter E-Cell light-duty delivery truck. Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro-based Future Bus during trials.