Mercedes-Benz ’ eco-minded F-CELL has made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The F-CELL represents one of Mercedes’ early hydrogen-powered vehicle efforts.
What makes the F-CELL incredibly unique, as Mercedes-Benz puts it, is that it is an electric car that essentially makes its own power on board. Running on compressed hydrogen, and with water as the F-CELL’s only exhaust emission, the hydrogen and air react without combustion in the fuel cell, producing current to run the 136-horsepower, 214 lb-ft of torque electric motor.
Mercedes-Benz says the B-Class F-CELL features performance similar to a 2.0-liter gas-powered vehicle. Moreover, the B-Class F-CELL sips hydrogen at a rate equivalent to 54 mpg, resulting in a range of 230 miles.
Mercedes-Benz’ latest generation fuel cell system uses a lithium-ion battery pack, in this cased housed beneath the B-Class’ floor boards. Mercedes-Benz has as improved the system’s temperature range, with the B-Class F-CELL capable of function in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius. The hydrogen gas is stored in 10,150-psi tanks that can be refueled in only three minutes.
Beginning next year, Mercedes-Benz will roll out 200 examples of the B-Class F-CELL for fleet tests in the United States (California) and Europe. Additionally, Mercedes is working closely with governments, utilities and oil companies in German and California to speed the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
