The near-series Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS electric car combines environmentally friendly electric mobility in the city with unrestricted suitability for long-distance driving.

This is made possible with the combination of the battery-electric drive and a combustion engine.

The range extender gives the powerplant a range of up to 370 miles, with some 100 kilometres solely under electric power and thus free of local emissions.

The equipment is part of a family of modularly constructed electric cars, which will enable Mercedes-Benz to meet all customer requirements for sustainable mobility in the future.

In this variant of the concept vehicle, the electric motor of the purely battery-powered BlueZERO E-CELL is combined with an additional three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine.

Putting out 50 kilowatts, the compact combustion engine is installed in the area of the rear axle and can charge the battery while the car is being driven.

The long combined range makes it fully suitable for everyday use and assures that the customer will reach their destination even with a depleted battery.

The car can be refuelled quickly and easily at any normal filling station.

During rapid charging with a charging capacity of 20 kilowatts, the high-performance, lithium-ion battery of the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS can store enough power within around 30 minutes for a 30 mile cruising range.

The complete electric range of 100 kilometres requires a charging time of somewhat more than an hour.

Charging time is doubled with a standard charge cycle at a conventional household outlet with 3.3 kilowatts.

Special on-board electronics support the intelligent charging stations and billing systems used by electric fuelling stations.

Advantages of lithium-ion batteries compared to other battery technologies include their compact dimensions, high output and energy density, high charge efficiency and long service life.