This Multi-part article will examine the steps that five major auto-manufactures are taking towards creating a more environmentally friendly automobile. This week we will look at the various projects that Daimler Chrysler is working on.
Daimler Chrysler (DC), a leader in automotive innovation, is working hard not only to make cars more environmentally friendly by reducing emissions, but also by making use of more recyclable materials in the construction of automobiles. A lot is to be expected from a company that combines Yankee ingenuity and German precision engineering. We have already seen some great things from this company, and as you will see in this article, there are still great things to come. Making cars more environmentally friendly involves more than just reducing fuel consumption and decreasing emissions. DC is working towards producing cars with fewer components that cannot be recycled at the end of the car’s life. DC is also starting to show a preference to recycled materials over new ones wherever possible. 13 percent of all plastics used by DC are recycled. In addition to recycling, DC is increasing its use of natural fibers in the production of composite materials. These fibers include flax, hemp, coconut, and sisal. An interesting study being conducted by DC is looking into the use of fibers from the Abaca shrub (a banana shrub). These fibers are very long and extremely durable, making them quite versatile. On the humanitarian side of things, Abaca shrubs are grown in the Philippines, where they are being used to re-plant the rainforest. DC’s humanitarian efforts with benefits don’t stop in the Philippines-they extend to India, where DC is helping to spread Jatropha plants, whose nuts can be used to produce Biodiesel. The Biodiesel obtained from these nuts has good performance in the engine, and burns very clean, not to mention the fact that it comes from a renewable source. Jatropha plants are very hardy, able to grow on barren land, and require little effort to grow. The nuts are about 60% oil, and the byproduct of the oil extraction makes a very good fertilizer. Biodiesel can be run in a standard diesel engine with little or no modification, making a very good option for an alternate fuel. A new synthetic diesel from DC known as Biotrol is currently used as an additive to conventional diesel, causing an extremely sharp reduction in CO2 emissions. The Biotrol itself releases no CO2, but it is not yet known if it can be used on its own, or if diesel engines must first be modified. Production costs are still higher than conventional fuels, but those costs are expected to come down soon. Since the fuel is exempt from tax in Europe, it can still be offered at a competitive price.DC is pushing diesel engines as a wave of the future. Drivers in the U.S. often drive long distances at far below the top speed of their engines, ideal conditions in which diesels thrive. Diesels also offer high torque and towing abilities, also desirable traits in the American marketplace. Modern Diesels are high performing and highly efficient, far outpacing the equivalent gas engine.Two new diesel passenger cars are available from DC, a Jeep Liberty and a Mercedes Benz E 320. They are selling like hotcakes; the planned production of 3000 E 320 CDI’s (the diesel variant) has already been far surpassed by preorders. Although DC may feel that fuel cells are the ultimate solution to our automobile problem, they are strongly invested in hybrid technologies as an interim solution. DC is co-developing its hybrid system with General Motors, and its details have already been described in the previous article. The Mercedes division of DC will be focusing its hybrids on their high-end luxury models. DC has a pilot program underway to test the hybrid system it has helped develop. It is currently distributing hybrid delivery vans (known as Sprinter vans) to various organizations around the world. The will be used heavily in low speed areas to test their electric only modes. The van is available in a version with extra batteries and heavier duty motors, as well as the ability to be plugged in overnight, meaning that the diesel engine can be kept off for longer times.DC is no slacker in the hydrogen fuel cell department either. DC is putting 60 Mercedes A-Class passenger autos equipped with fuel cells through a rigorous testing program- real life driving situations. DC is calling these vehicles F-Cells, and they, like the Sprinter vans, are being distributed to various organizations, which will use them like they would use any other member of their fleet. The German Chancellor’s office has one, and their motor pool is getting great reviews. DC is also helping to establish the needed infrastructure in areas where the car is being tested.DC is looking as far ahead as it can, but it is also remaining firmly rooted on the ground. They are currently developing the fuel cells that will eventually trump all its developing technologies that can be put into action in the here and now, reducing our reliance on petroleum.