CleanTechnica.com: Mercedes-Benz is aiming to introduce at least 10 new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models by the year 2017, according to recent reports.
This push won’t be accompanied by a significant push towards all-electric vehicles, though, based on comments from company reps — not for the next couple of years anyways.
The new target means that Mercedes will be expected to release one new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) every 4 months or so, on average. That’s a pretty significant rate of release, representing what seems to be the company’s full embrace of the technology.
“Plug-in hybrids are a key technology on the road to the local emission-free future of the automobile,” stated Professor Dr Thomas Weber, a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “Plug-in hybrids offer our customers the best of both worlds; in the city they can drive in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the combustion engine’s range. In addition, hybridization makes the combustion engine more efficient and brings with it a special type of dynamic performance – making driving an absolute pleasure.”
The company has, reportedly, lowered the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its European fleet by more than 40% over the last few years — not a bad start, and a trend that will continue, conspidering the company’s new goals.
On that note, the company’s new C 350 PHEV reportedly possess full lifecycle CO2 emissions up to 41% lower than the gas-powered C 250.
This push won’t be accompanied by a significant push towards all-electric vehicles, though, based on comments from company reps — not for the next couple of years anyways.
The new target means that Mercedes will be expected to release one new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) every 4 months or so, on average. That’s a pretty significant rate of release, representing what seems to be the company’s full embrace of the technology.
“Plug-in hybrids are a key technology on the road to the local emission-free future of the automobile,” stated Professor Dr Thomas Weber, a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “Plug-in hybrids offer our customers the best of both worlds; in the city they can drive in all-electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the combustion engine’s range. In addition, hybridization makes the combustion engine more efficient and brings with it a special type of dynamic performance – making driving an absolute pleasure.”
The company has, reportedly, lowered the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its European fleet by more than 40% over the last few years — not a bad start, and a trend that will continue, conspidering the company’s new goals.
On that note, the company’s new C 350 PHEV reportedly possess full lifecycle CO2 emissions up to 41% lower than the gas-powered C 250.
