Mercedes BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS Electric Concept Car near production

We have reported that Mercedes-Benz B-Class f-cell, the world's first series production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, is going in to limited production at the end of 2009. Besides, the company is also working on another fuel-cell B-Class concept, called BlueZERO E-Cell Plus.

First debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus is still on the stage of a Concept car. However, it’s expected to production in near future. Recently, Mercedes-Benz has reveiled the "near-production" BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept, which will also come to the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Based on the existing A Class / B Class platform, the BlueZERO E-Cell combines gets a 1.0 litre 3-pot turbo petrol engine with a compact electric motor. The petrol engine producing 67 bhp, is used to charge the 18KWh lithium-ion batteries that drive the electric motor that produces 100kw and 320 Nm of torque. As such, the car springs from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h (93 mph).

The BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept can travel up to 100 km (62 miles) on electric power alone, before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion batteries, enabling an extended range of 500km (300 miles).

It is worth mentioning the recharging technology used in the car. Due to the special 20 kW rapid charger, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus can be recharged for 50km trips in just 30 minutes and fully charged in about an hour. However, if you use a standard 3.3 kW household outlet, it will take up to six hours for fully charged.