BMW, Mercedes fight for e-car lead, VW skeptical

[bmer]

BMW, Mercedes fight for e-car lead, but VW skeptical​

January 17, 2010 21:00 CET

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Daimler AG and BMW AG are feuding over just whose test fleet of small electric cars is closest to serial production in an attempt to ditch their image of only making thirsty, high-performance luxury cars.

Long reliant on hulking V-8s such as the BMW X6 crossover or sporty coupes such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gullwing, both are now quick to emphasize their efforts to develop zero emission vehicles.

In July, BMW even went so far as to sell its exit from Formula One racing following a dismal season as part of a "strategic realignment" to channel resources for the development of new sustainable powertrain technologies.

"We have the largest fleet of e-cars out there on the street -- with customers that use them every day," said Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of research and development, during the Detroit auto show last week.

Meanwhile, Mercedes r&d chief Thomas Weber boasted that "we are already in serial production while others are still tinkering around on showcars."


Read full article: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100117/ANE/301179998

 

[bmer]

This just shows how much hype there is on electronic cars right now.

In fact, no carmaker has sold anything but a miniscule number of electric cars. Full-scale industrial production of zero-emission cars is largely expected around 2012 and market shares of more than 5 percent are unlikely within this decade.

 

[Wolfgang]

detnews.com

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Meanwhile, Mercedes r&d chief Thomas Weber boasted that "we are already in serial production while others are still tinkering around on showcars."

WHOA...Checkmate! That was a direct slap in BMW's mouth!

 

[Giannis]

They better not fight for e-cars, but for light and agile gas powered sports cars.

 

[aleks_16]

WHOA...Checkmate! That was a direct slap in BMW's mouth!

I think this goas to Volkswagen Company
BMW have 7er and X6 with electro stuff

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I think this goas to Volkswagen Company
BMW have 7er and X6 with electro stuff

Yea, could be them too.

 

[SCOTT27]

You forgot about the MINI E which has been undergoing a Field trial since over a year and with other countries staring their MINI E Field trials this year in Paris and Madrid.

 

[klier]

WHOA...Checkmate! That was a direct slap in BMW's mouth!

....and they care so much

 

[ctsurewin]

Electrical cars are not environmentally friendly. Electricity is simply an energy carrier, we won’t get any emissions locally but we will get them globally. In the European electricity market coal condensation is on the margin and therefore electrical cars emissions should be calculated from emissions from coal condensation.
(Cheap electricity, hydro, nuclear etc is already used to the max, if a decrease in electricity demand you will decrease expensive electricity production like coal condensation first. Since the cheap electricity production is already used to the max an increase in electricity demand will lead to an increase of coal condensation).

 

[HighestOfHigh]

....and they care so much

Of course they do!

 

[aleks_16]

Why should MB do want beef with BMw they are working together and mabye they will work evem more together on new technologys. What about BMW and Mercedes vs. VAG ???

 

[Wolfgang]

Cheap electricity, hydro, nuclear etc is already used to the max...

More is coming. For example:

Bristol Channel Zone awarded to RWE npower renewables | Press releases | Windpower Monthly

http://www.germancarforum.com/tesla/31273-desertec-kicks-off.html

 

[Sunny]

Electrical cars are not environmentally friendly. Electricity is simply an energy carrier, we won’t get any emissions locally but we will get them globally. In the European electricity market coal condensation is on the margin and therefore electrical cars emissions should be calculated from emissions from coal condensation.
(Cheap electricity, hydro, nuclear etc is already used to the max, if a decrease in electricity demand you will decrease expensive electricity production like coal condensation first. Since the cheap electricity production is already used to the max an increase in electricity demand will lead to an increase of coal condensation).

I also wondered about this sometime back and looked it up. Fact is even fossil fuel based power plants are way more efficient than internal combustion engines - something like 40% vs 15%. Add to it, all the 0 emission power plants like nuclear, hydro electric, wind and solar (in the US they make up 32%) and it is no brainer.

Other factors like cars will most likely be charged at night when the load on the grid is low means the relative efficiency of EV vehicles goes even higher. Also every time a power plant is upgraded to be more efficient, it makes millions of the cars automatically more efficient vs now when old inefficient ICE vehicles still operate for decades despite more efficient ones being available.

Here is a paper on the comparison if you are really interested: Electro Automotive: FAQ on Electric Car Efficiency & Pollution

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Why should MB do want beef with BMw they are working together and mabye they will work evem more together on new technologys. What about BMW and Mercedes vs. VAG ???

I doubt it VAG is more concern with World Domination. Benz and BMW are most likely interested in increasing the customer based while remaining profitable.

 

[aleks_16]

I doubt it VAG is more concern with World Domination. Benz and BMW are most likely interested in increasing the customer based while remaining profitable.

Ok mabye you cant compare BMw, Mercedes and VAG but you can Audi and BMW and Mercedes. And in this premium segment BMW and Mercedes should try to be the better leaders in the premium segment.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lol @ the person who gave me negative Karma for my earlier statement in this thread.

If you have a problem with what I said address me. Put your name on the bad Karma and why you thought it was "so bad".

I promise not to bite.

 

[klier]

Lol @ the person who gave me negative Karma for my earlier statement in this thread.

If you have a problem with what I said address me. Put your name on the bad Karma and why you thought it was "so bad".

I promise not to bite.

Just to let you know, I have nothing to do with that! You can say whatever you want, I can't get enough of HoH quotes

I don't even know how to give negative karma...didn't know it existed...

 

[SKY]

I don't even know how to give negative karma...didn't know it existed...

We are two then .

 

[Sunny]

Lol @ the person who gave me negative Karma for my earlier statement in this thread.

If you have a problem with what I said address me. Put your name on the bad Karma and why you thought it was "so bad".

I promise not to bite.

Yes, please put your name while giving bad karma. I have also got a few with no idea who gave it.