Mercedes-Benz GLC to get Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power in 2017

Kuala Lumpur: The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is on track to launch its very first commercially available hydrogen fuel cell model that the average consumer can buy from the German carmaker. However, it will take some time to finally roll-out this model on roads, ending up to make you wait for at least two years!

Thomas Weber, Mercedes’ head of research and development, told Autocar the company had finalised the engineering parameters for the new hydrogen fuel cell model. “We are targeting a combined range for the fuel cell and battery of up to 600 km, along with a refueling time for the hydrogen tanks of three minutes,” Weber said.

This concept is not new for the Mercedes-Benz. The marque has earlier planned for the hydrogen powertrains to be equipped in its vehicles some time back but it couldn't happen so! Its F-Cell system has found its way into both the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as well as the B-Class in 2010. Now is the time to see a new model practicing the Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology in reality on roads. Other carmakers have also tried their hands using this Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology, few of them were displayed recently at auto shows, including the Vision G-Code and more recently, the Vision Tokyo.

Despite basing earlier fuel cell prototypes on the B-Class, Weber said the continued high cost of the fuel stack makes a hydrogen fuel cell model commercially viable only in higher classes.

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He said: “The technology has matured greatly in recent years, with improved packaging and efficiency, but it remains in its infancy and is still quite expensive by conventional driveline standards.”

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The new commercially-available hydrogen fuel cell model, meanwhile, is set to be named the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell. It’s said that the model is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, with prices rumored to be around the 50,000 euro mark (RM230k). It’s expected to be offered to customers in selected markets on either a monthly lease or outright purchase programme.

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