Calling Batteries the “Heart” of Future Cars, Mercedes Puts $2.8 Billion into Battery and Green Technologies
Count Mercedes-Benz among the automobile manufacturers quickly realizing that batteries play an extremely pivotal role for the future of the auto industry. The world’s second-largest maker of luxury cars has announced that over the course of 2010 and 2011, it will be spending $2.8 billion on both battery technology and green technologies.
“It shows that we have the commitment, not just to build show cars, but to bring hybrids, electric vehicles into large-scale production,” said Mercedes’ development chief Thomas Weber. Batteries, rather than engines, will represent the “heart” of future cars, Weber said.
Mercedes-Benz is aiming to develop batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles that can last at least 10 years and handle the demands of driving in the extreme conditions of California’s Death Valley and the Swedish arctic, Weber said.
“Mercedes wants to be there first” with electric-powered vehicles, said Weber. “We’re attacking; we want to be on the top position and can’t wait until someone delivers a commodity. Whoever has the better battery has the better car,” said Weber.
The race to deliver the top battery-powered vehicles of the future has been underway for several years now. However, the next decade is likely where the losers and winners will be decided. For battery technology, this means the continued investment of billions upon billions of dollars, Needless to say, this will be one of the most interesting few years the battery industry has ever witnessed.
Category: Battery News
