Mercedes-Benz considering natural gas vehicle for the U.S.
Click above for a gallery of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Mercedes-Benz is considering entering the automotive CNG market with a version of its B-Class compact vehicle and it's currently showing just the machine at the Washington (D.C.) Auto Show. Regardless of the German automaker's intent, the decision on whether or not to actually offer the vehicle in America may have a lot to do with hybrid- and electric-specific legislation that, for better or for worse, rewards consumers for choosing specific vehicles based on the size of their battery pack.
Natural gas burns much cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel and could therefore be a viable way to lower emissions. While it's generally true that natural gas is a fossil fuel, it can also be collected from landfills or created synthetically. For those looking to avoid the importation of fuel, the United States and Canada are major producers of natural gas. Still, if there's no financially sound reason for consumers to purchase a CNG vehicle, it seems highly unlikely that M-B will choose to import one.
Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rocketboy 8:43AM (2/03/2009)
I hope they think again. Some state (New York, I'm looking at you) severely limit how much pressure you can put in a tank in a car. The range is nothing due to this limit.
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Sea Urchin 8:54AM (2/03/2009)
So much baloney, just build more efficient cars, stop with that gas or hydrogen mambo jumbo.
Flashpoint 9:34AM (2/03/2009)
America should concentrate on making Hydrogen the automobile fuel of the future.
In the mean time, more efficient gasoline cars would be better and not require additional natural gas fueling stations.
Mercedes Benz should scrap this idea altogether. If you've got enough $ to buy a Benz, you shouldn't be worried about gas prices. I drive an S550 (2007) and my fuel costs are about $400 a month. But I knew it was costly before hand. If I was hurting for cash, I'd have bought an Accord.
zamafir 10:02AM (2/03/2009)
Well beyond NY. We've had CNG civics available here in cali for years and no one bites, I don't care how well mercedes markets it.
Flashpoint: get over the hydrogen hype, it's no great savior and is ridiculously expensive in terms of cars, infrastructure, and attempting to extract it without fossil fuels (as we currently obtain over 90% of it).
P.V. 5:32PM (2/03/2009)
@Flashpoint:
So you drive an S550. Would you like a cookie?
Mirko 8:48AM (2/03/2009)
They have a B-Class with a natural gas engine and an E-Class. Which one do you reckon will they import? E-Class with a supercharged 4-cylinder? Hardly likely. B-Class? Really?
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Ligor 8:59AM (2/03/2009)
this B-class should have been brought here, not the Smart For-two
much nicer car than the smart, shoot they could have still called it a Smart if they do not want this type of vehicle associated with MB here in the states
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Kumar 11:54AM (2/03/2009)
I was all set to buy the B-class with a diesel engine way back in 2004 or 2005 when it was shown at the Detroit Auto Show. Shortly afterward they canceled those plans (tightening diesel regs had something to do with it).
I'd probably just go for an A3 diesel these days, if it were quattro (which it isn't).
TigerMil 9:11AM (2/03/2009)
They'd sell like hotcakes in Utah. Due to a peculiarity in public utility (natural gas) laws, the gas co in UT has to sell a certain amount of NG to the public at prices that equate to roughly $1.85 gallon/gasoline IIRC from a newspaper article.
In UT a Phil is a smart idea!!!
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G-Meister 12:21PM (2/03/2009)
Hm- I pay roughly for 1.85 for RUG at the pump- I don't smell the lure
Gardiner Westbound 9:27AM (2/03/2009)
A significant CNG-fueled vehicle issue is range. Matching gasoline vehicle range is dependent on the size and number of large, bulky fuel tanks that can be carried hampering passenger and trunk space.
Liquefying the fuel so that more can be carried in the same space may be the answer, but this has it's own set of difficulties. To liquefy CNG the gas must be cooled to -259-degrees and stored in insulated tanks.
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Rick 10:18AM (2/03/2009)
"For those looking to avoid the importation of fuel"
I like that statement already. Anything to avoid throwing away young lives while trying to act like the world's oil police. And a reduction in the trade deficit to boot.
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G-Meister 12:24PM (2/03/2009)
Ah yes- the big TD- fixing THAT is the only real way to fix our economy. Not incinerating billions in some sand box halfway around the world could help too.
dave0mary 10:57AM (2/03/2009)
Every time I hear a new way, or a new vehicle that'll take away $$ from the Arabs (who THINK they run the world), I jump for joy! C'mon OPEC, cut your production some more.
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JD 11:01AM (2/03/2009)
i agree with sea urchin, it wont be green and the probability of problems within the vehicle will be higher.
http://www.30carinsurancetips.blogspot.com
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OMER 2:25PM (2/03/2009)
I was in Montenegro during the summer and rented the B class diesel and i gatta say it was the most amazing fuel efficient car i ever drove. I drove from south of Montenegro threw Croatia to Bosnian aprx 9 hours of straight driving with 25 Euros worth of Diesel gas ( aprx $35 ).. I hope they bring this car to the States!!!
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