Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/09/19/merc_hybrid_gets_li_ion/
First Merc hybrid first to use laptop battery tech
The li-ion and the lamb
19th September 2008 13:09 GMT
'Leccy Tech Mercedes' first hybrid car looks set to become the first production motor with a lithium-ion battery when it debuts in Europe next summer.
According the German car maker, the S400 BlueHybrid will use lithium-ion rather than the more commonplace nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery tech because of its much greater energy density.
Mercedes' BlueHybrid: hybrid lite?
In short, a li-ion battery will hold a darn sight more charge in a given space than NiMH will, and that's allowed Mercedes-Benz to tuck the battery into the engine compartment rather than release a car with a more compact cabin or boot.
Lithium-ion is increasingly perceived as the prime battery tech for electric cars (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/09/18/li_ion_to_drive_leccy_cars/), replacing the clunky, chunky power packs used in today's electrics and hybrids to deliver either less weight but reduce battery mileage, or take up the same space as a NiMH unit but provide a greater driving range.
Green and pleasant land
It's the same basic battery chemistry as the power packs found in today's laptops and handhelds.
The S400 BlueHybrid packs in a 3.5l V6 engine capable of producing 279bhp on top of which you can add the the battery-driven electric motor's 20bhp during acceleration. The upshot: 0-60m/h in 7.3s and reduced emissions.
Running on battery
The S400 will release 190g of carbon dioxide per kilometre, compared to the 249g/km the S350 pumps out at the moment.
That said, it's rated at a mere 29 miles per gallon, which is only a gnat's tool more than the S350 achieves.
Definitely a case of 'hybrid lite', though with a summer 2009 release planned, Mercedes hopefully has time to tweak out some better numbers.