DaimlerChrysler backs use of alternative fuels

DaimlerChrysler AG, a joint venture partner of automaker Mercedes Benz, has expressed support for the use of alternative fuels such as coco-biodiesel and ethanol in the transport sector.

Peter Froeschle, senior manager for strategic energy projects and fuel cell market development of DaimlerChrysler, said they have conducted a number of tests on these biofuels and "our engine could accommodate these fuels."

So far, he said "we found no problem with the use of five-percent blend of coco-biodiesel and ethanol in our cars."

Froeschle said in five to 10 years, they expect the blend to increase to 10 percent.

According to the DaimlerChrysler official, giving support to these kinds of clean fuel is part of the company’s overall effort to discover technology that would eventually result to "zero-emission".

"We have invested a lot in testing biofuels to reduce the CO2 emissions," he said.

He said one of the major challenges of using these biofuels is the availability of infrastructure.

"We have developed a careful balance and can retrofit flex fuel engines. If the market is ready, we can deliver them. Appropriate infrastructure should be in place. All we have to do is follow certain specifications to fit the requirements of the clients based on the fuel that they want to use. So it will be up to the fuel providers to meet the other specs," he said.

As an advocate of clean environment, he said "As a car manufacturer, we continue to encourage our clients to use these clean fuels."

He said there is a need for the government and the biofuel providers to join hands in coming up with appropriate incentives and programs to promote the use of these alternative fuels.

"In Singapore, they give tax breaks for those that use alternative fuels in their automobiles," he said.

Recently, DaimlerChrysler officials presented the company’s road map to sustainable mobility by offering the broadest spectrum of technologies for a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions in passenger cars and commercial vehicles. These measures are focused on the initiative "Energy for the Future".

In the short and medium term, the Stuttgart auto manufacturer is continuing to set store by the great potential still offered by petrol and diesel engines. It is also working together with the petroleum industry on the development of environment-friendly "designer" fuels, derived for example from natural gas or biomass. At the same time, DaimlerChrysler is pressing ahead with the development of hybrid drive systems as an interim solution along the road to zero-emission mobility with fuel cell vehicles.

In view of framework conditions prevalent in some markets, hybrid vehicles powered by an electric motor in tandem with a combustion engine could gain significance within the foreseeable future.

In hybrid technology, DaimlerChrysler also sees an important interim solution along the road to the fuel cell – the long-term objective of the company’s drive strategy.

Once driving dynamics, ride comfort and driving pleasure can be realized at competitive prices, DaimlerChrysler will offer its customers hybrid vehicles. As a prerequisite, however, the fuel consumption level must undercut that of a comparable CDI diesel engine.

DaimlerChrysler is the pioneer in fuel cell development. Ever since the early 90s, researchers and engineers have been working towards practical implementation of this technology.

Some 20 research vehicles and prototypes have already come into being along the road to series maturity. With the Chrysler "Natrium" (the German and Latin word for sodium) presented in 2001, DaimlerChrysler demonstrated an innovative and unconventional method of storing hydrogen: on board this minivan, the hydrogen is generated directly from sodium borohydride, a white salt.

NECAR 5, a fuel cell running on methanol on the basis of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, set a long-distance record in 2002 by crossing the USA from San Francisco to Washington – thereby impressively demonstrating the reliability of fuel cell technology.

At the 2004 Geneva International Motor Show, DaimlerChrysler presented the Jeep Treo concept study, which demonstrates how the fuel cell can power a vehicle with two electric motors and four-wheel drive.

In 2003, fuel-cell operation at DaimlerChrysler outgrew the research stage with vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and powered by this technology are already being produced under near-series conditions. Since 2003, 60 of these cars have now been subjected to tests in everyday operation with selected customers in the USA, Europe, Japan and Singapore.

In 10 European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Porto, Reykjavík, Stockholm and Stuttgart), 30 fuel cell buses are already in operation in regular route service. Later this year, they will be joined by a further three buses in Perth (Australia). The company Hermes-Versand in Hamburg has already been delivering packages in a fuel cell Sprinter vehicle since 2001. From March 2004, the Dodge Sprinter will be powered by the fuel cell in practical operation for the UPS delivery service in the USA.

To date, DaimlerChrysler will thus have over 100 fuel cell vehicles on the road and be gaining experience in day-to-day operations.