Mercedes Benz B-Class E-Cell

[widodh]

Some people (especially in Europe) might actually prefer the slighty smaller B-class over the Model S. And again, Mercedes has a huge base of dedicated customers who only buy MB, nothing else.

[VolkerP]

The economics of scale hopefully help much more with development of the Gen III platform than with production cost of Model S. Coming from there, I can see how Tesla now has confidence into bringing Gen III cars to production as early as 2015.
Coming a year after the B-Class E-Cell, it will be interesting to see how these two compare and what unique features Tesla plans to make Gen III stand out.

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Revealed at the Paris motor show:

Paris motor show: Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive | Autocar

[TEG]

gg,
I was confused for a moment by the round object under the rear seat in that cutaway vehicle associated with the article you linked.
A Tesla motor in back? For a front-wheel drive vehicle? Then I read the sign above "natural gas".
So, I think they are not showing the E-cell version in that picture...
(Unless perhaps the red one in back is the electric)

- - - Updated - - -



This shows the E-cell battery and drivetrain:
http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-9...0-0-0-0-0.html

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Ah, you are right, TEG. Here's a (lame) video of the reveal (at the 7:40 mark): Press conference Mercedes - Mondial de l'Automobile 2012

Wish Mercedes mentioned "Tesla-supplied drivetrain" or something on those lines rather than treating Tesla no differently from any of the other (anonymous) parts suppliers. Toyota has been more generous to Tesla on the RAV4-EV front.

[Johan]

Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Coming To U.S.: Report (Compliance Car Watch)

36kW battery pack.

[TEG]

Well, it seems both Daimler and Toyota invested in Tesla to get batteries and powertrains for CARB compliance cars... (B-Class EDrive & RAV4EV)
Have we seen signs that Toyota or Daimler plan any high volume electric drive models?

[Johan]

Well, it seems both Daimler and Toyota invested in Tesla to get batteries and powertrains for CARB compliance cars... (B-Class EDrive & RAV4EV)
Have we seen signs that Toyota or Daimler plan any high volume electric drive models?

Toyota has outright said they will not go for BEVs (other than the California compliance cars). They are making so much money on their hybrids I guess. They don't want to steal their own customers, so to speak, is my guess. Maybe smart in the short run, but IMO they will loose in the long run... One food for thought is what if all of the big names in auto have their "undercover" BEV programs going with development, research etc. etc. going but they are toning this down until whenever they believe the market is ready/the time has come? And that they are also "on the fence" with regards to maybe fuel cells or what ever new technology that might come along?

[Doug_G]

Worst-case scenario is they get caught with their pants around their ankles when (not if IMHO) the market suddenly swings towards EVs. I believe that will happen eventually once the economics are clearly on the side of the EV. That will "merely" take some technological development and already-rising gas prices.

[Tharo]

New pictures of Mercedes B-Class E-Cell, with Tesla Batteries and tecnologi?



Link: Spied: Mercedes-Benz Ramping Up Development of Production B-Class Electric Drive - Carscoop