digg

Join DiggAbout

Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular Elections 2008 content on Digg.

See the original image at ecogeek.org

Mercedes to go Green. ALL Green. No Petroleum by 2015.

ecogeek.org — In less than 7 years, Mercedes-Benz plans to ditch petroleum-powered vehicles from its lineup. Focusing on electric, fuel cell, and biofuels, the company is revving up research in alternative fuel sources and efficiency.

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • nox327, on 06/26/2008, -4/+231Mercedes is definitely one of a few that can pull this off; mainly because they have to oblige by tough European emission laws, but especially because they are somewhat immune to the iron grip of big oil companies and their heard of lobbyist.

    Dieter Zetsche, the CEO of Daimler (Mercedes) confirmed this week that there will be a electric Mercedes sedan by 2010, very nice.
    via http://benzinsider.com/2008/06/dieter-zetsche-conf ...

    • Schmich, on 06/27/2008, -2/+5The website name you linked is starting to look a bit incorrect.
    • jabberwolf, on 06/27/2008, -2/+1I think the new standard will be how many joules can be output and torque for the new standard rather than how much horsepower.

      So basically what kind of battery will they use? The new standards are only help by a few companies.
      • Refrag, on 06/27/2008, -1/+8The new standard is already kilowatts (kW) and Newton-meters (N·m) for engines (including gasoline engines), it is just third world countries (oh, and America) that are stuck with British Imperial measurements like horsepower and foot-pounds at this point.
        • tonich03, on 06/27/2008, -7/+1are you kidding me, at least whole europe and rusia use horsepower.
        • zeabu, on 06/27/2008, -1/+7tonich03 : we use both. kW if you come in contact with the governement, both if you're talking with friends, and hp when talking with an older salesman.
          It's called transition.
      • ragonamuffin, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1A123's. Any other batteries are not worth it. They are either too heavy, don't have enough cycles, not powerful enough, or all three. I have a homemade electric motorcycle with SLA's and I can only go 10 miles with 48v and 36ah thanks to peukert's law. I am saving up to invest in either A123's or possibly cheap ebay LiFePO4's. the same chemistry used in A123's without the nano technology.
    • feliks2, on 06/27/2008, -15/+2Wow I can't believe any of you believe this.
    • encrypter, on 06/27/2008, -1/+3Sweet, we can be expecting some new Dr. Z commercials soon
    • casuallyevil, on 06/27/2008, -2/+13This is guaranteed to work... Mercedes rocks at strategic investment decisions lately ::cough:: Chrysler ::cough::
      • MrTulip, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3what are you referring to? the acquisition or the recent selling?
    • Laminarcissus, on 06/27/2008, -5/+3But they are in the iron grip of Top Gear, and that's going to be an even bigger problem when it comes to going all green
    • Nitrodist88, on 06/27/2008, -6/+5*herd
    • baramunchies, on 06/27/2008, -2/+2immune against oil companies?

      "The largest voting shareholder of Daimler is the Kuwait Investment Authority with 7.2% (as of December 31 2007)."
      (wikipedia)

      i think this whole news is a hoax, specially regarding that the sun in cited as source.

      mercedes benz is know for their big engine cars and they haven't got an alternative concept on the market. biofuel? besides that biofuel is the biggest ***** out there, any car can take bio fuel. so when they put a sticker on their cars with "biofuel only" tomorrow, does it make benz a green company?
      benz might be good in maintaining an image that their cars are reliable, they definitely have a very high reputation.
      if toyata would announce this it would buy it. but benz, no way. and i am german.
      • zeabu, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3And there would be no way to look at the page of Mercedes themselves? I'm sure they have their page even in Deutsch.
    • Infra6x, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2US emissions standards are more strict the European standards. This is the main reason we don't receive their diesel powered cars.

      Mercedes had to develop a brand new technology, their Bluetec diesel, just to meet standards.

      Regardless, ditching petroleum fueled products in only 7 years time would be suicide for the company. There is not enough and will not be enough installed infrastructure to fuel such vehicles in every market in the US, and in urban areas, many people do not have access to an electric outlet to charge their car overnight. Not to mention that some people want gasoline powered cars, their ease of refueling, and do not really care about EPA MPG ratings.
  • bixby1, on 06/26/2008, -11/+378Anything that comes from the mouth of a German engineer, I believe.
    • romistrub, on 06/27/2008, -25/+78This is a terrible policy to have.
    • sockpuppets, on 06/27/2008, -2/+102I believe in beer.
      • peterjmag, on 06/27/2008, -0/+52That generally goes IN the mouth of German engineers.
        • freff, on 06/27/2008, -1/+23Depends on how much beer.
        • brstilson, on 06/27/2008, -2/+77Perhaps if American engineers drank more beer on the job, they'd do a better job designing cars.
        • SuomynonaEno, on 06/27/2008, -2/+2Evidence suggests that it has proved to be of the opposite effect anyway. There's no real disparity in beer intakes between German and American engineers. It's more likely that Germans rarely gets drunk faster I suppose.
        • Jeffler, on 06/27/2008, -1/+4brstilson:

          The Car Made For Homer?
    • greenlight2001, on 06/27/2008, -10/+40If they swear all it's going to be is a shower, DON'T go into the stall...
      • orlyfactor, on 06/27/2008, -0/+16I knew someone would go there.
      • MrTulip, on 06/27/2008, -7/+2because it's going to be a golden shower or some sort of spermagewitter?
      • leb0wski, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2"Why is this shower all filled with these big cans full of powder. You can't take a good shower with powder. ...hmmm, Dave just passed out over there. He must have just been tired."
        • securitymonkey, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1[pedant] The gas was dropped in from the top of the showers. [/pedant]
      • dlite922, on 06/28/2008, -0/+1.... I wish someone WASN"T going to go there.

    • appleseed1234, on 06/27/2008, -3/+25Spei sapping mein Sentry
    • MattCalmus, on 06/27/2008, -19/+2"It's a shower, really..."
      • textrant, on 06/27/2008, -8/+0Why dugg down? Its a valid argument against believing Germans.
        • Myonosken, on 06/27/2008, -1/+9It's not, it's a joke that'd already been said about 3 comments up.

          If you really believe that its a valid argument rather than a joke, I am really sorry for you.
    • Inflammo, on 06/27/2008, -2/+5As long as its not what goes IN to the mouth of a German engineer. I mean come 'on we've all seen the videos...*cough*
    • ch1ck3n3, on 06/27/2008, -10/+5Heil?
    • q1006662, on 06/27/2008, -2/+7(Nice use of the comma)
    • eengineer, on 06/27/2008, -8/+1Are you implying that German engineers are better or smarter than American, Russian, Finnish, Indian, or some other nationalities engineers? Not to knock the Germans or Mercedes (my father is half German and I think Mercedes are some of the finest cars) but that simply isn't true. They have had some very smart people, sure, but when I think of the finest in engineering I think MIT and a fair percentage of that faculty is Asian.

      Sorry, I just think its a poor way to determine the validity of an engineers judgment. Considering I am part German and an engineer, I would not want people to think I am correct based on those factors. Or what if a German engineer told you that German engineers lie? What do you do then?
      • counterplex, on 06/27/2008, -0/+11You're over-thinking this...
        • DreKor, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4He's a self-proclaimed German engineer (even if only partly German). Did you expect him to NOT over-think this?
      • SolidBones, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Yes. We think German engineers are impressively smart. However, 1/4-German engineers seem to be proving less dependable.
  • Britney90210, on 06/26/2008, -4/+56This is good news!
    • textrant, on 06/27/2008, -7/+1This isn't good news. Switching initially from petrol to biofuels is a terrible idea. We have already seen this year the devastating impact this can have on the price of food globally, pushing the poorest in this world towards starvation.
      The switching to Electric/Fuel cell technology is very good news however. Just hope they can ignore the biofuels hype and scrap that idea.
      • leb0wski, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Why is this comment getting dugg down? This is a valid point. I spent way more at the grocery store yesterday, buying the same things I always buy, than I did a few months ago.
      • textrant, on 07/03/2008, -0/+0They are digging me down because I dare to say something bad about something 'environmental'. Guess what, even Greenpeace don't support biofuels anymore. Even they understand that forcing poor people into starvation is a bad idea.
    • twp219, on 06/27/2008, -3/+2Obvious comment is obvious.
    • tscbill5, on 06/27/2008, -0/+0This will be good news when companies that sell affordable vehicles start doing this. The ability to create free of fossil fuel isnt really the problem, its the ability to create these vehicles in a cost effective manner. Any of these companies can create these cars and sell them for $80,000-$100,000, let me know when a company has an entire line of vehicles free of fossil fuels and retail around $20,000... that will be the real challenge.
    • dlite922, on 06/28/2008, -0/+1You could have made a better comment, especially when your third from the top.

      Something like:

      I'm glad one of the big (respectable) guys is making the first step. I'll expect to see the smaller manufacturer to follow in their steps.

      Drastic changes in direction like this can only be made by the major companies to get the market rolling. No small company can ever afford to do it; there's just not enough market impact.

  • alapoet, on 06/26/2008, -4/+154Way to go, Mercedes!
    • Harabeck, on 06/27/2008, -0/+20Maybe theyll start a trend and the rest of the industry will follow.
      • sarixe, on 06/27/2008, -3/+10really? that would be interesting.
      • KMartSheriff, on 06/27/2008, -0/+12That's what usually happens.
      • bosssmiley, on 06/27/2008, -0/+7They usually do. Mercedes were the first with ABS, the first with GPS, the first with a lot of the stuff we now think of as standard equipment. It's a general rule that what Mercedes do now the rest of the industry does in 5 years...
    • aussieNickuss, on 06/27/2008, -0/+16BMW will be next. Then Audi and Lexus. Then the bottom feeders like Ford will follow suit out of necessity.
      • PussInBoots, on 06/27/2008, -4/+1so people who cannot afford Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or Lexus are bottom of the society? Since as far as I know 90% of people drive cars "Ford" class, not very expensive
        • Rotzooi, on 06/27/2008, -7/+2If you cannot afford a decent car, you should work harder. Or read The Secret.
      • kroftakrofta, on 07/26/2008, -0/+1I like BMW more than mercedes.. those merc for old folks..

        http://bmw-sports-car.blogspot.com
    • hapax, on 06/27/2008, -2/+6By then the Mercedes logo will be replaced with the Peace Symbol.
      • breadfred, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1And it will be known as The Car Formerly Known As Mercedes Symbol.
    • nevpayne, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3Yeap this has been proven with the S-Class on a number of occasions. What Mercedes put in that, others put in to their cars one way or another a couple of years later.

      Setter of trends is at it again.
      • SolitarySoviet, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3Jeremy clarkson would be proud.... seriously thats exactly what they said in top gear...
    • bradkovach, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1I think that when Mercedes sets the bar, the auto industry tries to reach it. Mercedes was building luxury sedans in 2000, and the features on those sedans are just now appearing standard on vehicles.

      And the safety inside of a Mercedes cabin is difficult to beat. My brother took his 2002 Mercedes-Benz c32 AMG off the road at a very unsafe (beyond freeway) speed (because he was impressing some people). He WALKED away from the accident with a BRUISE. The car was absolutely totaled, but the inside of the cabin, aside from the airbags being deployed, was flawless. Any car that can protect you from that kind of force is a car worth buying.

      When Germany builds a car, it's a good thing--the rest of the automakers take note. When Germany creates an answer to the fuel/climate crisis, the world will be amazed. I think people will laugh at the Japanese hybrids, because Germany can engineer. Look at the TDI Jetta, which is getting 45 mpg without a problem--and it's not even a hybrid.

      This ALL GREEN news is awesome. Mercedes will build a powerful and luxurious car that will make electric cars feel right.
    • ChrisshEnzo, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1looks like the germans got a jump on the britts!
      sorry Morgan.
  • FuryOfThor, on 06/26/2008, -2/+188It's the company, not the car, that's showing off its class.
    • loganrapp, on 06/27/2008, -2/+1I don't want to be a spoilsport, and I'm glad to see Mercedes doing this, but it won't be until I see Ford, Dodge, Honda, etc. pledging something that's even a fraction similar when I'll be jumping for joy.

      I mean, if you can afford a brand new Mercedes, you're already able to afford a hybrid. I'd love to start seeing the technologies Mercedes develops trickle down quickly to those of us who buy a car with the intent on driving it until it dies.
      • Davers, on 06/27/2008, -1/+3"Mercedes Benz... It's the company, not the car, that's showing off its class. Starting at $37,999."
      • starbuxadct, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1lol. I'd love to find a Mercedes for 38k... my fully loaded Toyota Camry Hybrid cost about that much. That would be a steal!!

        Also, just because I can already afford a hybrid, doesn't mean I agree that it is the best technology out there, and that it shouldn't be replaced by something that doesn't run on gasoline.
  • SDFBaby, on 06/26/2008, -37/+4Man everyone is going green, even the incredible hulk! http://hidensneek.com/2008/06/22/the-hulk-goes-gre ...
  • avengingturnip, on 06/26/2008, -24/+12Oh bunk. There is not even a linked article stating that Mercedes is planning on dumping gasoline and diesel engines, only that it is developing other types of motive power. BTW, electric cars are not necessarily emissions free. The emissions occur at the power plant.
    • nox327, on 06/26/2008, -6/+30If you want to be carbon neutral...STOP BREATHING. The point is not eleminating carbon dioxide, but lowering it.
      • rgodfrey, on 06/27/2008, -1/+29Actually stopping breathing will not be carbon neutral, as your moldering corpse will give off more noxious gas than a burrito festival.
    • Brian48216, on 06/27/2008, -2/+34Everybody makes the "emissions occur at the powerplant!" argument and they think they're the smartest little ***** on earth.

      Even if the electricity is generated from a coal fired plant, a steam turbine is way more efficient at creating useful energy then internal combustion.
      You don't have to ship gasoline around in giant tankers that consume their own petrol, you just push it through power lines.
      You can reduce CO2 emissions from power plants through CO2 sequestering
      Also, POWER PLANTS MIGHT BE WIND POWERED TOO! NO CO2 AT ALL!!! EGADS.


      • BigW, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1140 % of the power coming to my house is renewable. Thats a start. And with the wind farms going up all around my town, I'm guessing that number will be going up in the future.
        So you're right plugging in your car is not a bad thing.
      • Picer, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4Your 100% correct for example while the UK gets most of its energy from coal, France gets its energy from nuclear power, the power generation policies from each country differ.
      • flashingcurser, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1I hate to interrupt this love fest with facts. I know digg me down, we don't like facts here.
        Internal combustion engines top out at 37% thermal efficiency
        Typically 20-25% for most non-hybrid cars.
        Prius is about 31%
        A diesel averages about 40-45%
        Hybrid diesels could top out at 55%
        http://lostcoasttrading.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2 ...

        The typical coal fired power plant is about 31% efficient.
        http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_energy_effic ...

        I'm confused. How is 55% less than 31%?

        Yes you can find coal fired plants built around the world that are much more efficient. They are simply not the reality today. 30 years from now who knows.

        This doesn't even begin to address that coal fired plants are horrid polluters beyond CO2. (CO2 is not technically a pollutant) Sulfur, fly ash, NOX, ozone, particulates (more per unit of energy than diesel), and they use huge amounts of water that ends up polluted. If you retrofit scrubbers to these plants you loose even more of the 31%

        Side note to this conversation: There is loss of energy transporting fossil fuels. You have to pump it out of the ground, transport it, refined it, then transport it again.

        However on the same note there is loss of energy in resistance in our power grid. Each power station, transformer, (comparatively) low voltage wiring to your electrical service, and then again the wiring in your home. Not only that, electricity cannot be stored so off-peak loads loose a great deal more efficiency. If powered by coal you still have to transport the coal, though this is probably a very small percent as most of it travels by rail. I'm going to call each a wash, though I could be wrong. I couldn't find any good info comparing the two.

        I'm also assuming that the resistance of tires to road surfaces is about the same and wheel bearing are similar.
    • SPECOPS, on 06/27/2008, -4/+0I think what he is trying to say is, emissions to mine the special material that is needed for the battery, causes a lot of pollution. And when you replace those batteries, you double that, and when you replace them again, you triple it, and so on. So many people think the "green" cars just popped out of thin air, and nothing was "emitted" while making them - they're far from right. Think about all the trucks and planes,ships, etc needed to move that ore to factories to process (over top of what is already needed for the car body/engine itself). Even though, hopefully the batteries will last the 8 or so years they are promised to - and properly recycled - so when we are all driving electric cars, we don't have a "new pollution problem" to deal with

      • Blandyman, on 06/27/2008, -2/+4What if all the stuff doing all those things run off electricity, huh?

        And what if the plant they come from s nuclear or solar or wind?

        Your argument is then null and void.
    • YoYoYoImcool, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1Oh hey there is a link if you read
  • FranklinStaples, on 06/27/2008, -19/+11They need to throw a flux capacitor under the hood
    • ThatGeek, on 06/27/2008, -0/+16the flux capacitor isnt under the hood.
      it should be behind the seat like normal
    • Ajajadude, on 06/27/2008, -2/+2....so their cars can go back in time?
  • ryan83189, on 06/27/2008, -4/+302I'm reasonably convinced Mercedes can make an electric car that isn't ugly.
    • Ajajadude, on 06/27/2008, -6/+1But will it still look like every other car they make?
      • Tenlow, on 06/27/2008, -0/+11Why wouldn't it? They're not converting to some ecogeek friendly small scale three wheeled electric car manufacturer. They're noticing that fewer people are going to be buying gasoline powered cars in the future so they're just trying to stay ahead of the curve and keep their lineup marketable.
        • elTito, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2You noticed that the only pure electric they have on the table right now is a Smart, right? I mean I know there are more eco-geeky concepts out there, but not many.
      • winmywii, on 06/27/2008, -1/+1I hope not.
      • Attol, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2I hope so. I fapped to that new C-Class.
    • ICSU, on 06/27/2008, -1/+4http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/tesla/2007-t ...
    • lordterrin, on 06/27/2008, -9/+2I'm reasonably convinced Mercedes can make your FACE that isn't ugly
    • combatchuck, on 06/27/2008, -10/+2So far, they've failed to make a car that isn't ugly, but one can always hope.
      • AndreiOttawa, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3Of course, nothing compares with a fancy Ford or GM design
      • ditka354, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1Mercedes has some of the best class and style on the market.
    • griz, on 06/27/2008, -0/+7But can they do it for under $100,000?
    • jakerudy7, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2The tesla roadster is nice
      • wTheOnew, on 06/27/2008, -1/+3Too bad I would have to sell a few appendages and some children to be able to afford it.
  • flavioribeiro, on 06/27/2008, -10/+3It's possible to go all green now if you use biodiesel or ethanol, so this announcement is really just marketing. And if the European market can't supply biofuels in enough quantity by 2015, Mercedes sure as hell won't stop selling cars.

    If they promised to only produce electric or fuel cell vehicles, I'd be impressed. But that's not what they're saying.
    • EntangledPhysx, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2except that ethanol uses more petroleum than it replaces, so it's not really that green. Especially with the hit to MPG and massive govt subsidies.
    • Blandyman, on 06/27/2008, -4/+2Biodiesel and ethanol are destroying everything. I haven't been able to eat a decent home-cooked meal in weeks.

      I was raised on rice. Now, rice has risen (in just 3 months) from $4 for a 20-pound sack to $16. My family can't afford to eat it anymore.

      So, now we have the privilege of eating Taco Bell and McDonald's and potatoes every night.

      Yeah, there's other home-cooked ***** we could eat, but it all needs rice to taste good.

      Thanks ethanol. You killed my family.
      • flavioribeiro, on 06/27/2008, -1/+3That's not ethanol's fault. That your government's intervention through agricultural subsidies to produce CORN ethanol, which is incredibly inefficient.
      • GeorgeStone2, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4The *****.
        You best be sarcasming.

        How has biodiesel stopped you from eating? It doesn't even use ethanol in the production process.
      • Pixelpaws, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Please explain to me how you can afford to eat out every night but you can't afford rice, even with the price at its current levels.
      • Nollykin, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1Diggers need a serious boost of sarcasm detection.
  • matt247, on 06/27/2008, -7/+2Wow, that would be a fast if it works out. They'll probably still make cars that use gas for their high performance race cars.
    • cyrix, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2Didn't they switch over their racing cars to ethanol? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
  • Kornstalx, on 06/27/2008, -16/+8Electric, fuel cell, biofuels, and Zyklon B.
    • Shaman760, on 06/27/2008, -6/+3Wow....I'll bet all my Jewish friends who own high-end Mercedes never knew that. You're a real ***** genius. I'll bet you drive a Ford, dontcha?
  • speakafreaka, on 06/27/2008, -10/+82Wont happen in 7 years. They will still offer petrol engines along side green equivalents, Merc is business smart and they wont send a section of their market that still wants petrol to their competitors
    • V3NOM, on 06/27/2008, -4/+20How many people out there "still want petrol," and how many don't but are too damn lazy to actively support alternative energy? Some people that don't want to bother being active would still buy a green car if it was easily accessible. Especially when another few years have passed, if gas prices are even higher.
      • HHP2K, on 06/27/2008, -1/+1Too lazy to accept and embrace change.. hmmm.. you're right, I can't seem to find anyone either.
      • speakafreaka, on 06/27/2008, -6/+5People who buy $300K S500's and already own two Prius' to "show that they care"

        Basically the people that actually prefer the feeling of a torquey gasoline engine and either have their heads in the sand or dont give a damn.

        I know im probably going to be buried, but if Its going to be a sad day when I cant own an old muscle car to show my kids and maybe take for a drive twice a year at a cost of $20 / gallon
        • KMartSheriff, on 06/27/2008, -4/+8So let me get this straight, you're sad that we're finally moving away from gasoline? You need to let go of the past and stop being so sentimental. Yes, muscle cars are awesome, but their time ended LONG ago.

          It's not like you couldn't buy one on eBay or whatever anyway.
        • Tenlow, on 06/27/2008, -5/+8Well I am sad there's a move away from gasoline. Sure electric cars are great, but they can never replace gasoline. It just doesn't feel the same. Driving, and I mean really driving, is a full body experience. Without the internal combustion engine, it's just not the same. It can't be. A whir is not a roar.

          I fully embrace other forms of internal combustion, and worry that someday there won't be an alternative to electric power. Digg me down if you want, but it's the way I feel.
        • sparql, on 06/27/2008, -6/+4exactly how many different electric cars have you driven to come to this conclusion?
        • speakafreaka, on 06/27/2008, -1/+5One. But it was a mates hybrid

          I think he's refering to the linear torque delivery of a electric engine. They can fake it, but its like adding crack/pop sound effects to a digital song to make it sound like vinyl.
      • trofeo, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1I "still want petrol," deal with it. I want a car with an engine that is 'fun', that has a nice sound, that is exhilarating to drive.
    • F9Phoenix, on 06/27/2008, -8/+3I can't imagine anyone that isn't involved with oil wanting gas. Your statement doesn't make much sense.
      • speakafreaka, on 06/27/2008, -2/+1If your imagination was correct, why isnt everyone in the small-medium car sector purchasing hybrids right now.
    • grumpyrain, on 06/27/2008, -1/+29The only people who "still want petrol" are those getting high on the fumes.

      Everyone else wants a car that is equally convenient; comparitively priced, good range, plenty of power and a convenient way to refill the tank / recharge the battery / whatever safely in a few minutes.

      If the technology is available for a pure EV that gets a range of 500km, that can be recharged at a "petrol station" in 5 minutes and that has similar performance characteristics to a petrol engine, then the relative efficiency and reliability of an EV would make buying a petrol car a dumb choice.

      But in any case, I read this as the majority of Mercedes being powered by diesels with the token EV or hydrogen car on the side.
      • Infra6x, on 06/27/2008, -2/+0But then we would all be driving silent killing machines!
      • MyNameIsJoe, on 06/30/2008, -0/+1Problem is that technology doesn't exist. If it did, I'd use one, but since it isn't, I want a gasoline powered car.
    • deadbaby, on 06/27/2008, -1/+5Gas in 7 years may very well cost $10-$15USD a gallon and even more in Europe despite the EURO being a stronger currency.
      • JoshChan, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5gas is twice as expensive in Europe as in US
        • dupek11, on 06/27/2008, -0/+12Gas in Poland costs 2.33 USD per liter which is 8.82 USD per gallon.
          The nominal GDP per capita in Poland is $11,693 (2008) in the US it is $43,594 (2007).
    • ZenMojo, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4Europe has the infrastructure for this type of revision and sea change, so I don't doubt it
    • eclectro, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Really, the technology is not that far away now. They can take traditional hybrid design and use a motor that burns "something else." With sky is the limit gas prices, it might be cheap enough for Mercedes to ship the alternative fuel to your door. It would be very easy for them to design a natural gas engine. So it's very possible.
    • frazw, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1The problem with any non-petrol car is fuel infrastructure.
      e.g. Hydrogen fuel cells need to be filled up with hydrogen. I can't fill up anywhere with hydrogen yet so I wouldn't buy a hydrogen fuel cell powered car.
      e.g. Electric-only cars need to be recharged. If I am on a long journey and the range is shorter than the distance I can drive in a day, I need to be able to recharge on the go. AFAIK current tech takes a long time to recharge too and is not exactly a roadside service.

      I personally think that hydrogen fuel cell tech is the best option until electric-only range and recharge times are improved but without nationwide roll out of hydrogen refuelling stations, no one will want to buy a car powered by the tech so no car manufacturer will provide that tech.
      This announcement by Mercedes may be the thing which starts the ball rolling on refuelling stations offering alternative options. Given their existing finances and infrastructure current oil companies are the only ones who can provide us with the option too. With any luck that will tip the balance for other car manufacturers too.
      It isn't as good as a coordinated plan for availablility of refuelling stations and alternatively powered cars but it's a start.
    • widgetmaker, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1They'll ditch petrol by then, but will still offer Diesel/biodesiel. Remember us Europeans are more than happy with Diesel cars. In fact (not 100% I believe they may outsell petrol ones already)
  • Gbobrt4, on 06/27/2008, -1/+70Because Mercedes is actually preparing for the transition away from petroleum-powered vehicles, I see this as an intelligent move from a business and consumer stand-point. Our society knows that a transition is necessary as the shortage of oil proceeds, Mercedes is exploiting this by exciting consumers, showing them that they are ready for this transition. From the business standpoint their research and technological advances can obviously further their success as a company.

    Hats off to them.
    • AllYourBase3, on 06/27/2008, -1/+3there is absolutely no shortage of oil. there is so much of that ***** in the ground and you know OPEC is probably sitting on a ton that's not refined
    • Gbobrt4, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1So let it be if that is the case. We don't have to be a nation dependent on OPEC for eternity. Especially since they act as a world monopoly for oil supply. Change is necessary, and Mercedes is taking a step towards that by ending, or helping to end, our dependence on oil supply.
  • Axemantitan, on 06/27/2008, -2/+85Nice rhyming headline.
    • nevpayne, on 06/27/2008, -5/+2*Headline* + to give no emmisions, all perfectly clean?
  • spookyttws, on 06/27/2008, -1/+115Their R and D department must have a LOT of information that they've kept to themselves.
  • BrandonKutzler, on 06/27/2008, -3/+24I can't even express how great this news is. Thank you, Mercedes.
  • FeartheKnighted, on 06/27/2008, -19/+3Dear god please let this be another sensationalist digg headline.
    • KMartSheriff, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6Why? How is this bad?
    • FeartheKnighted, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2I've owned a Mercedes, they are amazing machines. We are not 7 years away from having equally amazing machines powered by any of those options. Gasoline, for all it's faults, has an amazingly high energy density.
      • Nollykin, on 06/27/2008, -1/+1It's not really about grunt, and "power" and "amazing machines" anymore. Oil-based petroleum products are just not working for our planet anymore- so we need alternatives. *shrug*
  • sbartz, on 06/27/2008, -6/+42I don't see too many green Mercedes on the road, but I guess it will be good to have one color to unite their line.
    • zerbemaster, on 06/27/2008, -3/+1My mercedes is green

    • admdrew, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5I'm concerned they'll no longer be offering petroleum-colored cars.
  • ZephyrNinety, on 06/27/2008, -13/+55One day we're gonna go so green that we all die of oxygen poisoning.
    • lolwutpear, on 06/27/2008, -6/+2it would be even funnier if there was enough oxygen that the entire atmosphere could spontaneously combust. now, to get rid of all that pesky nitrogen...
  • dmcbride6, on 06/27/2008, -6/+14Let me be the first to say THANK YOU MERCEDES.

    Not like I can afford one but I figure everyone else will be following.
    • daimposter, on 06/27/2008, -0/+1too late. you're actually like the 23rd person on this comment board to say that.
  • cparsons, on 06/27/2008, -10/+19Sounds good but won't happen.
  • GregFD3S, on 06/27/2008, -0/+32Its good to see somebody is taking the initiative. German engineering at its best.
    • dudefaceguyman, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3ehhuh..With Tesla leading the way!

      They're ALREADY working on a performance oriented 4 door FULL electric sedan to compete with BMW supposedly within the next year or so. Right now the Tesla Roadster is incredibly badass.


      Silicon Valley engineering at ITS best!
      • bradkovach, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2If Jason Calacanis owns one, it's NOT badass.
  • linuxinsidev2, on 06/27/2008, -6/+28Yeah, now we'll find Mercedes Benz dead after an apparent "suicide"

    :/
  • aftern9ne, on 06/27/2008, -2/+35Our country and our entire world will never ween itself from oil if the transition does not start in the automobile industry. It's time we stop coddling American auto makers because of our protectionist policies and start forcing them to plan for the future - where all the money is.

    Drilling for more oil is not the solution, replacing it is.
    • BigW, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6The automobile industry is starting to respond. Right now the American automakers have been kicked in the teeth by the oil industry. I think their interdependence is over. Ford can't afford to not move to high fuel economy/hybrids/electrics or they're dead. Actually, I think Ford is to late to the show and will be the first casualty of the speculation driving the oil prices to the stratosphere.
      In the 80's when people started to get serious about fuel economy the oil companies pumped up supply to get the prices back down. This is what they should start doing soon (talk of the end of oil is fake IMHO). But it looks certain that they're not going to this time, they're too ***** greedy now. Big oil has set up the endgame. People have had enough. The first automaker that sells only hybrids/electrics/fuel cell automobiles is going to be the dominant player in the auto industry by 2015. Toyota's got a big head start, and Honda's real close, GM's playing catchup, and by the looks of this Mercedes sees the writing on the wall. Ford and Chrysler are probably both screwed.

    • chispito, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4Well, GM leased the EV1 in the late 90s. I don't know what you heard about it in that documentary, but let me tell you those things were ugly, slow, and looked like a rolling deathtrap they were so slight of build (living in CA, I passed them from time to time on the freeway--and I do mean passed). Also, battery tech wasn't where it is today, and they had (according to wikipedia) a 160-mile range on a full charge.

      But to their credit, GM did bring an electric vehicle to market before the Japanese or German automakers did, if not profitably.
      • swampfoot, on 06/27/2008, -7/+1Wow, you passed an EV1 on the freeway. Bet you felt like a big man, what with your Toby Keith blaring and your Confederate flag bumper sticker. Real mature.
        • elTito, on 06/27/2008, -1/+5Are you twelve? That was the most idiotic response I've read on Digg in a long while, and that is saying something. I want to cry for you. Honestly.
  • cambob76, on 06/27/2008, -9/+2Makes sense that Mercedes Benz would lead the charge. Not sure it's fast enough though.
  • mickael1, on 06/27/2008, -3/+21Mercedes have always been pioneers in the automotive industry leading the way for all the other companies. Let us not forget that ABS and ESP were developed by them.
    • casuallyevil, on 06/27/2008, -2/+11False.... ABS was created for aircraft by Dunlop, and its first automotive appearance was on the Ford Zodiac in the 1960s. The first Mercedes to have it appeared in 1978 (and the system wasn't developed by Mercedes, it was licensed from Bosch).
      • bermudianguy, on 06/27/2008, -1/+4The part about ABS being invented by Dunlop is not exactly true the ABS breaking system was invented for aircraft in 1929 by a aviator and inventor Gabriel Voisin . Mercedes have always been pioneers in the automotive industry as mickael1 said . After all Karl Friedrich Benz yeah the Benz from Mercedes Benz did invent the gasoline powered automobile so it makes sense that they would want to shake things up a little bit .
  • NJHiker, on 06/27/2008, -4/+58Talk's cheap. Now let's see it happen.
  • FaithclubDotNet, on 06/27/2008, -3/+11All that I know is that I'm all for Digging up alternative energy vehicles. I have a gasoline powered sports car now, but I'm trying to drive it as little as possible so my next purchase will be a plugin hybrid. I'm interested in lower energy prices by using electricity in the short term. In the long term, I am interested in next gen nuclear or solar powerplants becoming commonplace so that everyone using electric won't raise the power of the grid. I like the environment, but I'm less die hard than some. I am more interested in seeing everyone in the world with enough to eat before other priorities. One way to make food cheaper is to make transportation cheaper. You can see how much food is inflating with gas inflation now. The reverse could happen way down the road.
  • Axeman2063, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5Seems like a relatively serious article, judging from the original bits from The Sun. I think it's a great first step...while admittedly the 'Benz market is small compared to Toyota or Ford, it'll definately go a long way towards discovering techology that can be more wide-spread down the road.

    On the flip side, I'm wondering if it's enough. For every person who buys a Prius or a hydrogen car, there's 5 or 6 people in India, China, and even Brazil who can now afford vehicles and are purchasing them...regardless of fuel economy.

    Still, it's nice to see a company dedicated to thinking outside of the box and doing something about rising fuel costs...something more significant than giving away "free gas" with each new car or delaying the release of the new F-150 by a few months...
  • gamben0, on 06/27/2008, -2/+5Now let's cut prices or make an economy car so it will actually make an impact. It is good to see a company making this kind of commitment though.
  • nub4life, on 06/27/2008, -3/+6Has anyone figured out what impact the batteries from those hybrid/electric cars has on the environment? Surely they don't decompose.
    • NonLeftistDiggr, on 06/27/2008, -12/+1Fads don't require facts.
      • KMartSheriff, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5Yes, moving away from gasoline is a fad. People enjoy paying $5 a gallon. *rolls eyes*
    • benjaminxbeard, on 06/27/2008, -0/+4can they be recycled? and if so....how about mandatory recycling of said batteries?
      • elTito, on 06/27/2008, -0/+6NiMH batteries (the ones in the Prius and basically all other current generation hybrids) are almost totally recyclable. Something on the order of 97%.

        I'm not sure about the Li-Ion batteries coming online around 2010.
      • acliffhang3r, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5Yes they can be recycled much like the Lead acid batteries in use today and follow a similar route back to the recycling plants. The Ni-M-H batteries are comparatively less toxic than lead acid batteries.

        It would seem the economics of recycling the battery (in the form of cash rewards) would ensure near 100% recycling. For example, Toyota offers $200 for every battery returned. For the sake of comparison about 98% of all lead acid batteries in the US, are recycled.

    • EntangledPhysx, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2That's why batteries can be recycled -- and batteries from a car can be recycled. Especially with all the regulations on them.
  • F9Phoenix, on 06/27/2008, -2/+5+1 to Mercedes
  • Ledjar, on 06/27/2008, -3/+1an electric E class would be a wonderful car. Merc needs to come out with some smaller cars that arn't ugly as sin (A- Class)
    • kenvsryu, on 06/27/2008, -1/+5It would be dumb to have an electric car that weighs 4000 lbs.
  • NonLeftistDiggr, on 06/27/2008, -3/+3I guess this kind of drastic move is what's required to try to get back to the top after taking an extreme beating the past decade with the chrysler cancer (aka daimler decision making) and all.
  • HHP2K, on 06/27/2008, -2/+26Lovely move by Mercedes. Their cars will go from attractive, to super-attractive, and their pricing will go from super-expensive to "yeah freaking right".
  • HappyScrappy, on 06/27/2008, -0/+15That's not what Mercedes said. They said they wanted all vehicles to be able to run without petroleum. That means flex-fuel, hybrids and EVs.

    It doesn't mean an end to vehicles that run on gas from them.
    • combatchuck, on 06/27/2008, -3/+2Flex fuel contains petroleum. Hybrids run on petroleum.
  • Radanator, on 06/27/2008, -2/+2Gee, don't rush or anything.
  • nmuller3, on 06/27/2008, -18/+5Are they serious? There's no way in hell this is going to happen, its just some ***** the marketing execs are trying to feed the tards that are buying into the sensationalistic pile of crap of global warming. People were worried about the coming ice age in the 1970's, it's a huge illusion passed off by idiot politicians (Al Gore) and companies trying to make a buck.
    • Shiftgood, on 06/27/2008, -1/+16oil is 140$ a barrel... im pretty sure thats the reasoning. But who knows!? you could be right.. Al Gore could profit heavily from mercedes.. switching to hybrids/flex/electric. Hes probably at his house right now wringing his hands menacingly.

      You're just a parrot.. and a bad one at that you dont even know when to spit out your lines.
    • elTito, on 06/27/2008, -4/+3I happen to think Al Gore is an insufferable charlatan. I can't stand the man in any regard, nor do I believe a word he says about anthropogenic global warming.

      However, I also happen to think that the time has come for us to move on from foreign petroleum dependence as soon as realistically possible. Were we able to meet our own needs for oil production I may not feel the same way, but anyone whose eyes have not been opened in the past 6 months to the vulnerable nature of our current position in the status quo is either blind or functionally retarded or somehow on the take.

      They fooled us in the 70's. Shame on them. They've fooled us again in the 2000's. Shame on us. Now is the time for us to do something about it - and to my delight, we are.
  • mjklaser, on 06/27/2008, -0/+3It certainly is an enviable goal, realistic or not.
  • PHiZ187, on 06/27/2008, -1/+6Wow, way to be leaders Mercedes!
  • bays, on 06/27/2008, -4/+3AL Green
  • jordz84, on 06/27/2008, -0/+5In other news: Dieter Zetsche goes missing.
  • TheGreatBelow, on 06/27/2008, -11/+4RIP Mercedes.
  • ilovemacs, on 06/27/2008, -7/+6The funny thing is, some you believe this will actually happen by 2015. Like the guy above said, it's just marketing ***** that people eat up, especially those with zero critical evaluation skills.
    • Natnie, on 06/27/2008, -2/+2But for the people this would impress, wouldn't they wait to buy any Mercedes car until the new green cars are available? Seems pointless to me to just be using this as a marketing technique when they will look bad if they don't deliver.
      • Grimdotdotdot, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2Are they going to walk for the next seven years?
    • SpeedyG, on 06/28/2008, -0/+1It may not happen, but I guarantee if they're even remotely serious, every other car manufacturer will be watching closely to see if they need to scramble to produce the same kind of car.
  • n8to, on 06/27/2008, -4/+5
    On one hand, you have to give it up for Mercedes to make this a goal. Good on them. But on the other hand, what took so ***** long? And why can't any of the retards in Detroit figure this out?


    • ZenMojo, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Because fuel efficiency standards in the United States are unimposing, meaning Detroit can sit on its hands and do jack crap all about it. Then they whine because no one wants their SUVs.
  • themurph2099, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2I find it hard to believe this will happen in 7 years. I would be very impressed, if it did, but it seems like its a bit fast for something like that to happen.
  • dreamlayers, on 06/27/2008, -1/+16My first reaction was "Wow! Awesome!" but after reading the article I have serious doubts over whether this means anything because they mention biofuels. Cars that can run on biofuels can run on petroleum and plenty of people will still use petroleum in them. I'm tempted to bury the article as inaccurate.
    • Pixelpaws, on 06/27/2008, -0/+2Biodiesel can run in any diesel engine without modifications. So, in a sense, every diesel motor ever built is "green" if you apply that standard. Most truck stops I've seen are pumping out B10 to B20 these days, in part because it's cheaper than petroleum. I'll be more impressed when I see numbers closer to 100.
  • buckybadger, on 06/27/2008, -3/+5This is not happening. MB will likely diversify the type of engine it offers, but there is no way they are doing away with the gas engine in 10, 20, or even 30 years. No way.
    • tehbored, on 06/27/2008, -2/+7Oh they can do it. Gas engines aren't nearly as popular in Europe as they are here in America. Diesels have a much larger market share, and diesels can run on biofuels efficiently and with little or no modification.
    • elTito, on 06/27/2008, -1/+4I don't know why people just refuse to see the writing on the wall. I think we're seeing the beginning of the end of the internal combustion engine altogether, and that the vast majority of new automobiles sold 15 years from today will be powered by some means other than petroleum and very likely other than internal combustion period.

      I'm not some enviro-nut tree hugging ass-hat, by the way. I just don't think it's difficult to see what is happening in the auto industry right now unless you're not looking.
    • galore, on 06/27/2008, -1/+1"No way". Sure way - if oil costs $100000000/pint.

    • chevriley, on 06/27/2008, -0/+0it cannot be doe in 6 years... no way. i love that they're thinking about it and confident enough about their technology to start bragging... but its gonna be 15 years, at best.
  • CodeCobalt, on 06/27/2008, -1/+2Although I have driven a few mercedes and they do ride beautifully I have always hated the car and the people who own them...

    however my hats off to Mercedes, great move from them. Guess their not as snobby as i've always assumed. will the rich jack-asses who buy their cars be willing to go green?
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 100 of 120 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.