(December 25, 2010) Mercedes-Benz F-CELL hydrogen-powered B-Class vehicles are now available to California residents. The Mercedes joins Honda’s FCX Clarity Fuel Cell with a public leasing program.

Californian’s who participate in either hydrogen powered program are carefully vetted to determine eligibility based on driving patterns and access to hydrogen fueling facilities which are few are far between. Both the Mercedes and Honda fuel cell vehicles are tied to the Department of Energy’s “Hydrogen to Highways” program.

The Mercedes like the Honda is powered by an electric motor with 134 horsepower although the Mercedes’ has 215 lb-ft of torque as compared to Honda’s 189 lb.-ft of torque. 

The new B-Class F-CELL Mercedes provides driving performance comparable to a similar conventional car while using about half the fuel. The car utilizes a fuel cell stack for generating electricity and a lithium ion battery for energy storage. Taking only approximately three minutes to refuel, The B-Class F-CELL emits only water as a by-product of the fuel cell system.

“The introduction of the F-CELL in California marks the beginning of zero emission Fuel Cell technology in the US for Mercedes-Benz,” said Sascha Simon, head of advanced product planning at Mercedes-Benz USA. “With a range of 240 miles that never needs to be plugged and more than 15 years of Mercedes-Benz research already committed to the technology, we believe this is a great addition to our fast growing portfolio of alternative fuel vehicles that customers can choose from to best suit their lifestyle.”

Honda’s FCX Clarity works in a similar fashion, using the hydrogen stack to energize the lithium ion battery pack which drives the electric motor. Honda says Clarity has a range of 270 miles.

Mercedes delivered the first of its fuel cell vehicles to Vance Van Petten, Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America.

Van Petten noted, “As a long-time environmental advocate and supporter of sustainable production and eco-friendly transport, I’m thrilled to be driving a vehicle that I believe represents the future of environmentally thoughtful transportation — not only does it have zero emissions, but it also provides me with all of the safety technology one expects from Mercedes-Benz.”

For information: http://www.mbusadigitalmedia.com/fcellsurvey/index.aspx.

— Ted Biederman