DaimlerChrysler Delivers the First Fuel Cell Cars to Customers in Berlin

DaimlerChrysler hands over Mercedes-Benz A-Class "F-Cell" vehicles to Deutsche Telekom and BEWAG/Vattenfall Europe

Berlin/Stuttgart, Germany - DaimlerChrysler today handed over the first fuel cell passenger cars to German customers in Berlin. The partners Deutsche Telekom and BEWAG/Vattenfall Europe took delivery of these A-Class “F-Cell” vehicles for their fleets at the Mercedes-Benz Salzufer outlet. Europe’s first service station for fuel cell cars also commenced regular operation.

“With the delivery of these vehicles, which will drive in regular operation, we are making a statement in Germany: The technology has now outgrown the research stage once and for all”, said Dr. Thomas Weber, member of DaimlerChrysler AG’s Board of Management with responsibility for Research and Technology and the development of the Mercedes Car Group. “We are introducing fuel cell vehicles on public roads, thus paving the way for a broad basis of experience. We are very happy to have found two highly committed partners, Deutsche Telekom and Bewag/Vattenfall Europe, for this important phase.”

In the F-Cell A-Class, the entire fuel cell system and the hydrogen cylinders are located in the vehicle’s underfloor unit; the interior and the luggage compartment can thus be utilized to the full. This vehicle can accommodate four occupants. Its high-torque electric motor makes for a dynamic driving style in both city and country traffic conditions. For the entire drive system, multiple fuel cells are connected in series to the “stack”. The stack has been developed by the DaimlerChrysler co-operation partner BALLARD.

DaimlerChrysler is a pioneer in the development of the fuel cell for automotive application and plays a leading role in this field. Ten years ago DaimlerChrysler presented the world’s very first fuel cell vehicle, NECAR1. Since that time, the technology has been further advanced in numerous concept vehicles. Thirty fuel cell buses can now be regularly seen on the roads of ten major European cities. In the USA, the delivery company UPS transports its packages in fuel cell Sprinters, while in Japan, employees from the Tokyo Gas Co. and Bridgestone Corp. are also on the move in fuel cell vehicles.

DaimlerChrysler handed over the first fuel cell cars – a total of four A-Class “F-Cell” vehicles – to the German customers Deutsche Telekom and BEWAG/Vattenfall Europe. In order to press ahead towards market maturity, a total of 60 Mercedes-Benz A-Class “F-Cell” vehicles will be in operation worldwide by the end of 2004 for customers in Japan, Germany, Singapore and the USA.

In Berlin, DaimlerChrysler is a crucial partner in the “Clean Energy Partnership” fuel cell project, a consortium of automotive manufacturers, technology companies, energy suppliers and politicians with the aim of promoting and advancing fuel cell vehicles and the use of hydrogen. At the end of 2004, the CEP filling station will commence regular operation and supply a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles, including ten “F-Cell” cars.

In order to press ahead towards market maturity, a total of sixty Mercedes-Benz A-Class “F-Cells” will be in the hands of customers in Japan, Germany, Singapore and the USA by the end of 2004 worldwide so that they can prove their worth in everyday operation.