One of the next steps on the way to perfect electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles is wireless charging. Daimler and BMW have now agreed on jointly developing and implementing one common technology.
Wireless charging of the battery will make the handling of electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles even easier. Mercedes-Benz will commence fleet testing of this “unplugged” technology with the S 500 Plug in HYBRID soon, in order to develop a real S-Class solution in recharging the high voltage battery in terms of comfort and ease of operating in the near future.
The system consists of two components: a secondary coil integrated into the under tray of the car and a primary coil integrated into a floor plate that can be placed on a garage floor for instance. Electrical energy is transmitted contact-free without the need for a cable, at a power rate of 3.6 kW and with a degree of efficiency of 90%. Daimler and BMW have agreed on jointly developing and implementing one common technology for wireless recharging high-voltage batteries of electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
In September, the Mercedes-Benz S 500 PLUG IN HYBRID will be launched. It offers 325 kW of power and 650 Nm of torque, sprints in only 5.2 seconds from zero to 100 kph, and can go 33 km on electric power alone. It has certified fuel consumption of 2.8 litres for 100 kilometres, equalling 65g CO2/km. And it achieves excellent efficiency in real word driving as well. Key elements for this stunning performance are a bi-turbo V6 and a highly sophisticated hybrid powertrain.
The S 500 PLUG IN HYBRID is the first luxury sedan with a certified consumption below three litres per 100 km and another milestone on the way to emission-free mobility. After S 400 HYBRID and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, it is the third hybrid model in the S-Class range. It combines a highly advanced hybrid powertrain with the unique innovations and comfort features of the S-Class.