Daimler will launch more than 10 different all-electric vehicles by 2022

As the huge ambition of Daimler to be the leader in electric vehicles, from luxury segment Mercedes-Benz to notorious commercial vehicles segment like Mitsubishi FUSO eCanter recently, Daimler always show big passion to pursue top notch leadership in this segment through integrated three-lane drive system strategy involving electric vehicles, hybrid models and combustion engines through taking a holistic approach to electrification under the new EQ technology and product brand. In addition to developing a modular family of vehicles, there will be a comprehensive ecosystem that includes the required charging infrastructure.

"All systems are go. We are investing more than ten billion euros in the development of our EQ vehicle portfolio alone," says Ola K?llenius who has been responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development since the start of the year. "By 2022 we will be bringing more than ten different all-electric vehicles to market. We will also be electrifying the entire Mercedes?Benz portfolio and our customers will thus have the choice of at least one electric alternative in every Mercedes?Benz model series, taking the total to 50 overall."

When it comes to the future of mobility, Daimler is relying on different technologies continuing to coexist. These are optimally tailored to the particular customer needs and vehicle models. Ola K?llenius: "We are placing our emphasis on highly efficient high-tech combustion engines, systematic hybridisation and battery-electric or fuel-cell drive systems. Our approach is deliberately broad in view of our extensive vehicle portfolio and our customers' mobility requirements."

Road #1: Electric pioneer Mercedes-Benz builds on CO2-free mobility

The smart fortwo electric drive made Daimler the first manufacturer to offer a series-produced electric vehicle back in 2007. Today, the fourth generation of the smart electric drive is making entry into the world of electromobility more appealing than ever. From 2020 the company plans to exclusively sell smart models with battery-electric drive in Europe and the USA.The first series-produced model from the new EQ product brand, the EQC, is set to be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen from 2019. For commercial vehicles too, in future there will be locally emission-free electric drive systems available in all segments: the FUSO eCanter for light-duty distribution haulage in Europe, Asia and America and the electric Mercedes-Benz truck for heavy-duty distribution haulage. In the USA, Daimler Trucks North America is working on an electric Freightliner eCascadia for long-distance haulage. In 2018 the first battery-electric city bus will enter series production. Mercedes-Benz Vans is developing fully electrically powered Vito and Sprinter model series vans. Their first partner is already confirmed in the shape of logistics company Hermes.

Road #2: The extensive range of plug-in hybrids is further expanded

Plug-in hybrids represent a key technology on the road to a locally emission-free future for the motor vehicle. This is because they offer customers the best of both worlds; in the city they can drive in fully electric mode, while on long journeys they benefit from the combustion engine's range. To underline the important role of hybrids in the process of electrifying the car, the plug-in models from Mercedes-Benz will, in future, bear the EQ Power technology badge.In addition, the Citaro hybrid sees Mercedes-Benz opening a new chapter in drive systems for city buses. For the first time worldwide, hybrid technology is available as special equipment for an extraordinarily broad range of city buses with diesel and petrol engines rather than for distinct models. In this way, numerous models benefit from the advantages. In conjunction with the equally new electrohydraulic steering system, the Citaro hybrid's drive system reduces the fuel consumption of a bus already known for its efficiency by up to a further 8.5 percent depending on the application and vehicle specification.

Road #3: High-efficiency internal combustion engines

Mercedes-Benz attaches key importance to the optimisation of modern, internal combustion engines in its road map to sustainable mobility. In particular, the economical, clean and, especially in Europe, highly popular diesel engine makes an important contribution to the further reduction of fleet consumption. The new four-cylinder OM 654 diesel engine marked the début of a groundbreaking family of engines from Mercedes-Benz. It is the first passenger car diesel engine to use the stepped-bowl combustion process – named after the shape of the combustion bowl in the piston. The new petrol engines featuring six or four cylinders point the way into the combustion engine's future: They include trailblazing technologies such as the starter alternator (EQ Boost), 48-volt on-board electrical system and electrical booster compressor (six-cylinder).

Next to make its début is the new generation of the four-cylinder petrol engine (M 264) with a power-to-swept-volume ratio of well over 100 kW per litre. The use of a belt-driven starter alternator with a 48-volt on-board electrical system also marks a further step towards the electrification of the drive system and facilitates functions such as boost, coasting with the engine off and recuperation.

Road #4: The mobility of the future will be more flexible and more connected

For years, Daimler has been evolving from an automotive manufacturer into a mobility provider. In the first half of 2017, the number of customers worldwide using digital mobility services such as car2go (global market leader in free-floating car sharing), mytaxi (European market leader) or moovel more than doubled. There are 15 million customers registered to use Daimler mobility services in more than 100 cities across Europe, North America and China.

Daimler AG is planning a joint venture to establish an ultra-fast, high-performance charging network with power levels up to 350 kW along major traffic routes in Europe in conjunction with the BMW Group, the Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche. Construction starts in 2017 and initially approximately 400 sites are planned in Europe.

Under the charge@Daimler project, the company is bringing together its activities to build up intelligent charging infrastructure at all its sites in Germany. Right now employees at Daimler locations in 24 German cities have access to extensive charging solutions. By the end of 2018 the network will extend to more than 2000 charging points.

In spring 2017 Daimler AG became lead investor in the US charging solution provider ChargePoint Inc. The aim of this strategic investment is to significantly expand the portfolio in the area of intelligent charging solutions and to provide customers with an all-embracing, premium electromobility service.

Worldwide from Saxony: global battery production network

In addition to its internal development and production expertise and its modular strategy for alternative powertrains, part of Daimler AG's philosophy is to ensure that it has direct access to key components for electromobility.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Accumotive, Daimler has extensive know-how when it comes to the development and production of highly complex drive batteries. In view of the planned electric vehicle initiative under the EQ product and technology banner, Daimler AG is forging ahead with a global battery manufacturing network with locations in Europe, Asia and North America. All in all, the company will be investing over one billion euros in global battery production with two factories in Kamenz, Saxony and further sites in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, Beijing (China) and Tuscaloosa (USA). Analogous to vehicle production, the battery production network can react flexibly and efficiently to market demand. The various locations supply the local vehicle production facilities and are able to export if required.

Network of expertise: concentrated know-how

Daimler subsidiary NuCellSys is a global leader in the development of fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage systems for vehicle applications. Daimler got involved in a new line of business with stationary battery storage systems in 2015, and has opened up additional opportunities to grow outside the automotive sector.

The network of expertise also includes joint ventures, for example with Bosch for electric motors (EM-motive). Other joint ventures are intended to build up the hydrogen infrastructure (H2 Mobility GmbH) as well as to create a Europe-wide, rapid charging network. With a view to expanding an integrated ecosystem around electromobility, Daimler AG is also pursuing selected collaborative partnerships such as with charging solution provider ChargePoint.