Berlin, September 5, 2008 – Berlin"filling up" with electricity. With "e-mobility Berlin",
Daimler AG and RWE AG are today launching the world's largest joint project for environmentally friendly electric cars. These provide locally emission-free driving, thus making a considerable contribution towards protecting the environment and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The initiative covers all components required for the efficient use of battery-powered electric vehicles - from innovative drive technology through to customer-friendly infrastructure. Daimler will provide more than 100 electric cars from Mercedes-Benz and smart as well as the vehicle service. RWE is handling the development, installation and operation of the charging infrastructure accounting for some 500 charging points, the supply of electricity and central control of the system. The payment system takes the form of the exchange of data between a special in-car communication system and the intelligent charging point. This unique cross-sectoral co-operation brings together the specific know-how of two key industries. The project is being supported by the German federal government due to its significance in terms of sustainable mobility in the future.
"Our joint initiative is a good example of what can be achieved when policy makers, energy suppliers and the automotive industry all work together towards the same goal," says Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Our mobility concept is based on an integrated solution combining electric cars suitable for everyday use and the appropriate charging infrastructure. In this way we are decisively improving customer friendliness and the suitability of electric vehicles."
"RWE has the energy to lead. With our capital and our know-how as Germany's largest power generator we are joining forces with Daimler AG to promote climate protection," states Juergen Grossmann, CEO of RWE AG. "E-mobility for every private customer – it is with this in mind that we are developing a comprehensive concept including an individually-tailored, intelligent and convenient charging structure at home, at the workplace and in public places. This also includes tariffs which everyone can afford, including for example a price guarantee or in the form of an eco-power tariff."
Daimler – pioneering innovations from the inventor of the automobile
"We are convinced that the future of mobility is green, and the German industry has all assets for assuming a leading role in this direction. We invented the automobile and now we are reinventing it. Today, in collaboration with RWE, we are taking an important step into the future," says Zetsche.
Daimler will contribute its wealth of experience of the automotive business to the joint project, above all the knowledge it has gained from its many years of successful research and development work in the field of emission-free vehicles using electro-drive and battery technology.
The new generation of smart ed (electric drive) and electric-battery driven vehicles from Mercedes-Benz will come in use within the "e-mobility Berlin" project. One of the most important vehicle innovations is the lithium-ion battery developed specifically for the use in these cars. Compared to conventional batteries, this technology provides a greater range and a shorter charging time, with the possibility of smaller and lighter batteries as a result. As early as next year, Daimler will be launching this lithium-ion battery technology in serial production in the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID.
RWE – across-the-board supply network with some 500 charging points
RWE AG is dealing with the development, installation and operation of the charging infrastructure for "e-mobility Berlin". Some 500 charging points are being set up for the large-scale project within the city of Berlin. This may be gradually extended. The partners have joined forces to develop the innovative interfaces between the vehicle and the "electricity filling station" as required for effective, customer-friendly and convenient everyday operation. Even at this early stage these are already designed for the next step: Once the corresponding batteries become available, it will also be possible for the energy stored in the vehicle to be fed back into the supply network (vehicle-to-grid). This means, that the vehicle battery of the future will store electricity when demand is low and feed this electricity back in the network when demand is high. In this respect, both partners are relying on open standards and are willing to cooperate with other companies on the development of joint solutions in the future.
"The charging points will be installed at the customer's home, at the workplace and in public parking areas. In addition, business-to-business partners such as shopping centres, car park operators and fleet customers can be connected into the infrastructure. The accounting system should be as simple and convenient as when using one's mobile phone," according to Grossmann.
Serial production of electric vehicles scheduled to start in 2010
The new project is also benefiting from the experience gained by Daimler during the current pilot project involving electro-mobility in London. Since last year, there has been a test fleet of first-generation smart fortwo ed cars in the British capital, successfully operated by authorities such as the police and others.
"e-mobility Berlin" represents an initial step towards a successful future of electro-mobility. The same applies for further similar projects in other metropolises around the world and also for the start of serial production of battery-powered vehicles by Mercedes-Benz and smart in 2010. Within the company's approach, Daimler is pursuing a standardised, integrated process covering the entire life cycle of the vehicle. Only once the development, production, operation and recycling of all components and parts of a vehicle are entirely included in this cycle, an overall balance will be achieved in ecological terms.
08-Sep-2008
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It is an honest but currently costly approach. While this IS the future, along maybe with the air car and the Hydrogen cell, it is still very costly (battery costs) and inefficient (due to the current battery technology). It is improving though. The Europeans are ahead in one area: SMALL DIESELS! Hey, current diesel sales are about 50% of the total! Europeans KNOW that this is the best alternative right now. Yes, NUCLEAR is probably a good way to recharge those batteries (ASK THE FRENCH!!). Until companies like Nanosolar can bring down the price of Solar Tech, make it available to all, and it will come to that one day very soon, other less clean, less environmental friendly alternatives will have to be used: Gas, "Clean" Coal, Wind, Nuclear and yes, OIL. Believe when I say that the winds of change are here in the US, that independence from Foreign oil will create jobs here, prevent wealth transfer and strengthen our national security by middling less and less into the affairs of the Middle East. We need these transition fuels while development takes place otherwise it will be to expensive for the regular Americans.
Posted by: Fred B
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05-Sep-2008
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It appears that Berlin / Germany as a city / country is opting to take its pain now in doses for a sustainable future. Germany is already the biggest per capita for solar PV. Talk about energy independence - PV feedng the grid and cars with local purpose charging off the grid. If the trend continues and the rest of the EU joins, Russia may very well lose its grip there. Interesting from an energy perspective and political one. Now the big question is how fast and complete can Germany do this and the rest of the EU follow?
Posted by: Flux Capacitor
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06-Sep-2008
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Also interesting that this is essentially the model Project Better Place is using in Israel and Denmark... if the financial model is the same (sell the car cheaply, charge for electricity "miles used" like with cellphones), this could be the birth of a new industry with competitors getting started and vying for global market share. Very good for the planet, both politically and environmentally.
Posted by: Josh Trutt
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07-Sep-2008
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Joint initiatives by car manufacturers, utilities and cities have good cards to effectively move forward on the -interrelated- issues of reducing harmful emissions, creating green collar jobs and ending our addiction to fossils.
This interrelatedness is something policy makers often fail to recognize, or at least show in their policies.
For various reasons policy makers in cities seem to have more clout to take the / a lead in these matters. This could be seen to coincide with a regionalization, due to high shipping cost.
A focus on quality of life (the so called 'slow'-movement) enhances these tendencies.
Some cautions are in place:
Let us stay alert for downward movements of oil prices. Since those will strongly influence the appetite for (PH-)EV's.
Vested interests & manipulative power attached to them are not to be underestimated: oil represents a $1.2 trillion annual turnover. Together with a major customer (the auto industry, with approx the same turnover) and the usual political affiliations (jobs/votes, re-election funds, etc) a truly formidable force.
I worry about law departments of vested interests sitting on patents (for Chevron & the RAV battery see http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?page=article&storyid=1478 comment 39). I worry about their ability to take strategic positions in the resources related to scaling up EV production, like places where lithium can be easily/cheaply mined. I worry about geo political issues, like the latest one in Georgia (Kaukasus), where access to fossils / current energy generation plays a major role, as the previous commenter rightly remarks. I worry about regime actors moving towards coal (especially so called 'clean coal') and nuclear, while the base load solar and wind alternatives are sustainable, cheaper and in the case of nuclear, faster to commission. I worry about the very limited knowledge or interest regarding these matters amongst our leaders, their constituency, consumers, media, NGO’s.
Emil Möller
Nertherlands
Posted by: Emil Möller
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