September, 2004 - Nr. 9
Chancellor gets hydrogen-powered Mercedes
TWIG - Known auto enthusiast and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was beaming from ear to ear on Wednesday as he took delivery of new hydrogen-powered Mercedes A-Class.
The environmentally-friendly hatchback, known as the F-Cell, is one of 60 cars that German-American automaker DaimlerChryler’s luxury division hopes to have on the road by the end of the year.
With gas prices hovering around all-time highs, interest in hydrogen-fuelled vehicles such as the F-Cell is growing worldwide, said the Chancellor.
"I just came back from a press conference at which the effect of oil prices played a major role,’’ he told reporters. "This car shows that we are on the right track in view of the fact that global demand for mobility will increase, especially in China and India."
The F-Cell, powered by a fuel cell that was developed by Canada’s Ballard Power Systems, tops out at 87 mph and has a range of 100 miles.
After taking the vehicle for a quick spin around the Chancellery grounds, Schroeder pronounced himself delighted with its performance and said that he was especially impressed by its quiet ride.
The Chancellery now plans to put the car to the test in
actual driving conditions, from the wide-open stretches of Germany’s famed
autobahn to the stop-and-go traffic that plagues Berlin rush hours.
Republished with permission from "The Week in Germany"
