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Almost a year after the B-Class F-Cell reveal, Mercedes is now on to their 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL production model. The electric vehicle will only be produced in a limited 500 units that will be leased to select customers in several European countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The Mercedes A-Class E-Cell features a permanent-field synchronous unit developing a peak output of 70 kW (95 hp), a continuous power rating of 50 kW (68 hp), and a high maximum torque of 290 Nm. The sprint from 0 to 60 km/h is made in 5.5 seconds, while top speed is limited to 150 km/h. Two high performance lithium batteries will provide enough power for the family electric car to travel 100 km (124mph) while also providing a quiet, emission free ride.

The list of standard equipment will include bi-xenon headlamps, COMAND APS, an active park assist for automatic parking, and the THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system.

Following the B‑Class F‑CELL fuel-cell car, Mercedes‑Benz now introduces the new A-Class E-CELL as its second electric car built in series-production conditions. The five-seater with battery-powered electric drive meets all the requirements for a family car for everyday use. It is based on the five-door version of the current A‑Class, and features a generously dimensioned interior and luggage compartment for maximum versatility. No compromises have been necessary in terms of space and variability, with compact storage batteries that are located extremely well-protected and in a space-saving way in the vehicle underbase. The car’s two high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries provide a range of over 200 km (NEDC). The car is powered by a quiet, locally emission-free electric drive with peak output of 70 kW (95 hp), developing a high torque of 290 Nm. A total production run of 500 A‑Class E‑CELL cars will be built at Rastatt from autumn 2010. The vehicles will be leased to selected customers in several European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Five doors, five seats, the same luggage compartment volume as in the internal combustion engine A‑Class (435 to 1370 litres), a 350‑kilogram payload measured as per the relevant EC directive and high variability of the interior and luggage compartment: this is what makes the new A-Class E-CELL a family car for everyday use. The sophisticated sandwich structure provides both an extremely comfortable in-car environment and maximum protection for passengers and components in the event of a collision.

“Over our almost 125-year history, we have accumulated extensive experience and knowhow in the area of electric vehicles, including both battery and fuel-cell. This knowhow has already provided the basis for getting two electric cars for everyday use onto the road: the smart fortwo electric drive, and the B‑Class F‑CELL. The story now continues with our third electric car, the A‑Class E‑CELL., whose start of production is scheduled for autumn this year. The new car is a battery-driven electric Mercedes that enlarges our portfolio and offers our customers the kind of driving pleasure, comfort and safety that they have come to expect”, says Dr Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Development Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Along with exemplary safety, optimum comfort and a high level of suitability for daily use, the A‑Class E‑CELL also offers other strengths not always to be found in contemporary electric cars: agility and driving pleasure. The features are based on a low centre of gravity, partly the result of the installation of the batteries under the passenger compartment, in the “sandwich” structure of the vehicle floor. This gives the car excellent road-holding and sprightly handling characteristics – qualities that clearly set the A‑Class E‑CELL apart from other electric cars, which often have heavy and bulky storage batteries located in the boot or by the rear seat. Another benefit from this installation location is the provision of best-possible protection against the intrusion of structural components in the event of a head-on collision or impact from the rear. This is because the batteries are located outside the vehicle body’s deformation zones. The high-stability characteristics of the sandwich structure of the floor also provide outstanding protection for both battery and passengers in a lateral collision scenario.
High-performance electric drive with long range

The electric drive of the A‑Class E‑CELL is a permanent-field synchronous unit developing a peak output of 70 kW (95 hp), a continuous power rating of 50 kW (68 hp) and a high maximum torque of 290 Nm, as expected for an electric drive, available right from the first revolution. This makes the A‑Class E‑CELL an outstandingly assured and dynamic performer on the road, taking just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 km/h. A kick-down function is used to deliver maximum acceleration, according to the current charge level and battery temperature. Maximum speed is electronically set at 150 km/h.
The energy storage units are two high-performance lithium-ion batteries based on high-voltage technology. The advantages of lithium-ion batteries include their compact dimensions and significantly higher efficiency in comparison with nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. They offer 30 percent more energy density than NiMH technology, and 50 percent more power density. Other benefits include high charging efficiency and a long service life. The combined energy capacity of the two lithium-ion batteries is a total of 36 kWh. With fully charged batteries, the A‑Class E‑CELL has a range of over 200 kilometres (NEDC).