The next step in our safety-system development activities will involve the use of sensors that monitor the vehicle’s immediate surroundings. For example, we are currently testing a short- distance radar system that observes the immediate area around the vehicle, analyzes traffic conditions and then works with other systems to support the driver in coping with dangerous situations. As such, PRE-SAFE®will ensure a comprehensive link
between active and passive safety systems in the future. The Individual Safety research project also promises to enhance safety significantly. The goal of the project is to create a system that automatically adjusts seatbelts and airbags to the position and physique of each occupant in order to better protect that indi- vidual in the event of an impact. Another DaimlerChrysler Research project involves the AIDER system, which provides assistance in situations where an accident can no longer be prevented. Imme- diately following a crash, data such as the number of vehicle occupants, severity of the accident, direction of impact and vehicle type is automatically collected and analyzed by the system. The information is then sent automatically along with details about the accident location to emergency services units. Such a system can help rescuers better prepare their recovery procedure, saving time – and possibly lives.
Drive systems and fuels of the future. As an automaker well aware of its responsibility to the environment, we are consistently working to further reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and con- serve natural resources. Our activities in this area are pursued through a five-stage model based on a holistic approach: – Further advances with combustion engines
– Improving conventional fuels
– Use of largely CO2-neutral biogenic fuels
– Further developing hybrid drives as an interim solution – Emission-free mobility with fuel-cell vehicles
The use of innovative technologies and new concepts has enabled DaimlerChrysler to reduce the CO2emissions of its vehicle
fleet by about 28% in Europe since 1990. The fuel consumption of diesel cars fell by more than 25% during the same period, due in particular to the new common-rail direct-injection systems.
In 2004, we delivered to customers the first E 200 NGT na- tural-gas-powered vehicles, which are based on the Mercedes- Benz E 200 Kompressor with bivalent drive. These vehicles have a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, with 300 kilo- meters being covered by the natural-gas system and 700 kilometers by the gasoline drive system. When the natural-gas unit is engaged, CO2emissions are reduced by more than 20%.
The use of synthetic biogenic fuels, also known as biomass-to- liquid (BTL) fuels, has enabled us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout a vehicle’s entire lifecycle by 60% to 90% compared to conventional diesel fuel. This is because biogenic fuels contain neither sulfur nor aromatic compounds. They are also odorless and can be used in existing vehicles without having to modify their engines. In order to better exploit the poten- tial offered by BTL fuels, DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen are cooperating with Choren Industries GmbH in Freiberg – the manufacturer of the world’s first BTL fuel, which is sold under the brand name of “SunDiesel”.
Hybrid technology as an interim step toward fuel-cell systems. DaimlerChrysler views hybrid technology as a significant interim step on the road to the fuel cell (see page 76), which is the overall objective of our propulsion-system strategy. This is why we have repeatedly presented different vehicle concepts equipped with hybrid drive in the past – most recently the F500 Mind research vehicle. In December 2004, we also reached an agreement with General Motors (GM) regarding the development of a common hybrid-drive architecture. This will enable the specific incorporation of this innovative technology into the model portfolios of the Mercedes Car Group, the Chrysler Group and GM. At the same time, the individual attributes of all of the brands involved (e.g., power and torque characteris- tics and driving dynamics) will be retained. It will also be possible to combine this two-mode hybrid system with various types of engine. Each company involved in the project will be responsible for integrating the technology into its own model range. The single-mode systems common today require significantly larger electric motors than is the case with the new patented two-mode hybrid system. The two-mode system also offers the advantage of reduced fuel consumption combined with maximum performance levels, particularly in the long-distance driving cycle. It also The new compatibility of low temperatures and fuel cells.
On the way to the market: The research team led by Dr. Christian Mohrdieck (left) and Dr. Florian Finsterwalder developed a reliable method for harnessing engine power from a fuel cell even in icy temperatures. Although the cold-test chamber was turned down to minus 20° C (minus 4° F), this Mercedes-Benz A-Class started immediately: with an innovative fuel cell, ready for a cold start!
Environmental protection as a corporate goal. DaimlerChrysler is committed to fully integrated environmental protection. In other words, we aim to set the pace not only in the areas of innovation and safety, but also with leading-edge technology to protect the environment. Our commitment to this position is demonstrated by our expenditures for environmental protection, which totaled to approximately €1.6 billion in 2004.
We aim to safeguard individual mobility in a sustainable manner by using natural resources sparingly and further reducing our products’ fuel consumption and emissions. In order to pursue these goals sustainably, we have combined our activities in a five-stage initiative called “Energy for the future” (see page 74). Mercedes-Benz has 20 passenger-car models that are equipped with diesel particulate filters and comply with the Euro 4 emission limits – more than any other German automaker. In the C, E and S-Class segments, more than 80% of our German customers already order their diesel-engined cars with particulate filters. Unlike other similar exhaust-treatment techniques, the Mercedes- Benz system operates without any additives and therefore requires no maintenance.
Hydrogen in the fuel tank: fuel-cell vehicles. DaimlerChrysler has handed over more than 100 fuel-cell vehicles to customers all over the world: more than any other automaker. A total of 33 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses are currently being tested in every- day use by regional public-transport authorities in Europe and Australia. In 2005, three additional fuel-cell buses will go into
drive are delivering packages in the United States, and Mercedes A-Class cars with fuel-cell drive are being tested in everyday use in Berlin, Japan, Singapore and the US.
The Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) is an initiative launched by partners in the automotive and oil industries as well as energy suppliers, with the goal of establishing new energy infrastructures for innovative drive systems and vehicle concepts. In November 2004, CEP opened the world’s largest hydrogen filling station in Berlin. With our ten fuel-cell vehicles, we are the largest mobility partner in the Clean Energy Partnership.
In 2004, DaimlerChrysler Corporate Research produced a fuel cell with cold-start capability, thereby setting a milestone on the road towards market maturity. This fuel cell can be started at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The key advantage of this fuel cell is its exact management of water and heat so that the fuel cell does not freeze. In addition to its ability to start even at temperatures far below freezing point, this innovative fuel cell also delivers enough energy within seconds to cover all the power requirements imposed by normal driving conditions. Its starting performance is therefore comparable to that of diesel engines.
Biodiesel from the jatropha plant. DaimlerChrysler aims to promote systematically the development, testing and market launch of renewable fuels. “SunDiesel” (see page 75) is particularly suitable for countries that possess enough readily accessible high-quality agricultural and forestry land that is not needed for €1.6 billion spent on environmental protection |Over 100 fuel-cell vehicles in use with customers worldwide |DaimlerChrysler commercial vehicles using BlueTec diesel technology already comply with Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards |Biodiesel being tested as an alternative fuel