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The Mercedes-Benz “B-Cell”: Introducing the next generation of fuel cell cars

DaimlerChrysler presented the next-generation of its fuel cell vehicles with the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class at the 2005 Geneva Show, extending the family of fuel cell vehicles to the segment of sports tourers. The B-Class incorporates a unique sandwich concept developed by Mercedes-Benz that makes it predestined for this type of drive unit. The high-torque electric motor will develop more than 100 kW which amounts to 35 kW more than the power unit of the previous generation, the A-Class “F-Cell”.

The B-Class Mercedes fuel cell car concept

Thanks to a reduction in fuel consumption and a further enhanced storage capacity, the operating range has now been increased to almost 400 km (250 miles). The components’ reliability and longevity have also been further improved.

“With this car, we are continuing our highly successful practical tests on an even larger scale,” said Dr Thomas Weber, member of DaimlerChrysler’s board of management with responsibility for research and technology and for the development of the Mercedes Car Group.

Cutaway model of the B-Class "F-Cell": since the compressor is located at the front, this car runs much more quietly that its predecessor, the A-Class "F-Cell"

DaimlerChrysler has grouped together its hybrid and fuel cell drive research and development activities in the respective competence centres in order to press ahead with these technologies. This measure will allow the current projects to be incorporated into the strategic co-operations with General Motors (hybrid) and Ballard/Ford (fuel cell) in an ideal manner; this framework also creates an efficient platform for the strategic integration of the findings from research and development projects into series production.

The stack of the cutaway fuel cell model from the B-Class "F-Cell"

Since late 2004, sixty Mercedes-Benz A-Class “F-Cell” cars have been in operation with customers in Germany , the USA , Japan and Singapore in the course of these practical tests. In this first test phase, approximately 300,000 km (190,000 miles) have already been covered under highly diverse conditions and documented with these vehicles.

Cutaway of the B-Class "F-Cell"