Daimler: Fuel cell vehicles to cost no more than diesel hybrids by 2015

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

Toyota has declared on numerous occasions that it will launch a sedan-type fuel cell vehicle in 2015 at a price of $50,000 or less. Hitting that price point may prove difficult, but Daimler agrees that its doable. Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive and future mobility at Daimler, recently told Automotive News that the cost of fuel cell vehicles will decline at a rapid rate in the coming years. Kohler stated:
Kohler added that he expects fuel cell vehicles to be less expensive than comparable battery-powered cars within the next five years. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell is available for lease in the U.S. at a price of $849 a month (plus tax). However, Kohler points out that the F-Cell employs expensive technology that will be replaced with less pricey hardware when the second-generation model launches in 2013-2014.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is toying with the notion of developing fuel cell versions of the A-, C- and E-Class models within the next five years. If the company can sucessfully incorporate its fuel cell technology into multiple platforms and reach mass production levels, costs could plunge by mid-decade.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell



[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]Daimler: Fuel cell vehicles to cost no more than diesel hybrids by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...