Official Mercedes B-class EV thread

[evnow]

No camouflage but they wouldn't let us take pictures...

How does that really work ? They can request you not to take photos - but they can't prevent, right ?

 

[TomT]

No, and I'm sure that they expected some would leak out, but everyone seemed to be honoring the request. Being a movie studio, people are more used to honoring such things anyway as it is a good way to get fired or thrown off the lot if you violate it. It is studio policy and posted at all entrances and stages...

No camouflage but they wouldn't let us take pictures...

How does that really work ? They can request you not to take photos - but they can't prevent, right ?

 

[TomT]

It felt about the same in the front, with a somewhat more upright driving position. I actually found the seats to be more comfortable and supportive than the Leaf seats and the cockpit inviting. In the rear, there is less room that the Leaf but still ample and definitely more than what is in the Volt. I'm only 5'8" but head room seemed sufficient for someone well in to 6 feet, at least in the front...

How spacious is the interior compared to the Leaf? How about head room?

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

For the record here are the CARB states

http://transportpolicy.net/index.php?title=US:_Section_177_States" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Connecticut
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
Delaware
Georgia
North Carolina

Wow, lots different than my list:

CARB states, which are California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Oregon, New Mexico, Maryland, Arizona, and the District of Columbia

if WA was truly FULLY CARB compliant we might have a hell of a lot more cars to choose from...

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1080855_why-washington-state-residents-could-lose-out-on-electric-cars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[evnow]

if WA was truly FULLY CARB compliant we might have a hell of a lot more cars to choose from...

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1080855_why-washington-state-residents-could-lose-out-on-electric-cars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After learning more about ZEV & CARB, I don't think that would be the case. OEMs can sell EVs in CA only and that would count towards other states as well (but less number of credits). That is why compliance EVs are sold only in CA ...

 

[TonyWilliams]

if WA was truly FULLY CARB compliant we might have a hell of a lot more cars to choose from...

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1080855_why-washington-state-residents-could-lose-out-on-electric-cars" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After learning more about ZEV & CARB, I don't think that would be the case. OEMs can sell EVs in CA only and that would count towards other states as well (but less number of credits). That is why compliance EVs are sold only in CA ...

But that "traveling" credit will end for 2018.

 

[LTLFTcomposite]

I wish someone would start a thread on all the ins and outs of CARB and CAFE compliance. Tony Williams has a lot of interesting input on the subject but it gets scattered through various threads.

 

[TonyWilliams]

I wish someone would start a thread on all the ins and outs of CARB and CAFE compliance. Tony Williams has a lot of interesting input on the subject but it gets scattered through various threads.

The best data:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/levprog/cleandoc/clean_2009_my_hev_tps_12-09.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is really good, from Toyota:

http://www.toyota.com/esq/vehicles/regulatory/carb-mandate-for-zero-emission-vehicles.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

July 7, 2011

CARB Mandate For Zero Emission Vehicles

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has mandated that all automakers who sell motor vehicles in the state of California, must phase in to their lineup a certain number of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) and near-zero-emissions vehicles over specific time periods. The number of vehicles that must be phased in varies according to how many cars a manufacturer sells in the state.

We have compiled a list of CARB web pages that offer a good explanation of the credit system, what qualifies and what doesn’t, the history of the ZEV program, and other frequently sought after information.

For the latest information from CARB, please visit their website: http://www.arb.ca.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ZEV FAQ http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/factsheets/zev_fs.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ZEV Fact Sheet http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/factsheets/2008zevfacts.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Extensive ZEV tutorial presentation http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/factsheets/zev_tutorial.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A list of manufacturer ZEV credit balances http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevcredits/zevcredits.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[cwerdna]

^^^
Great find on their web site!

I don't follow all the ZEV compliance stuff that closely but now w/reminder from http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/factsheets/2008zevfacts.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; about BEVs and FCVs both getting "gold" status, at least when it was published, it now makes more sense why perhaps Toyota is so lukewarm to EVs and why basically every automaker has been dabbling w/FCVs for years.

I figure that Toyota believes they can sell more FCVs than BEVs and thus be better able to generate enough ZEV credits w/those. At least FCVs have faster fueling times and longer ranges. Perhaps they're banking on people not really caring about well-to-wheel efficiency as American don't seem to care very much about auto efficiency anyway, judging by http://blog.truecar.com/2013/07/26/average-fuel-economy-for-new-vehicles-rises-0-7-mpg-continuing-record-setting-levels-for-4th-consecutive-month/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The number and % of battering ram of death class (full-sized SUVs) running around my area almost always being driven solo and/or w/minimal cargo/passengers is disheartening.

If Americans actually cared more, hybrids would have a much higher take rate than ~3-3.5% and BRoD monthly sales figures would look like what the Scion iQ and Smart ForTwo get in a month. But, that's not the case at all. Those tiny cars have sales that are virtually nil.

 

[Bicster]

http://insideevs.com/with-tesla-inside-2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-zips-from-0-to-62-mph-in-7-9-seconds-puts-bmw-i3-on-the-lookout/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

0-62 in 7.9 is not bad.

I still want to know if I can buy (or at least get service) on one of these puppies in Texas. Oh, and what will it cost? I'm guessing it goes head to head with the i3 in terms of pricing.

 

[TomT]

It's looking more and more like the MB will be on my short list of considerations to replace the Leaf...

I still want to know if I can buy (or at least get service) on one of these puppies in Texas. Oh, and what will it cost? I'm guessing it goes head to head with the i3 in terms of pricing.

 

[Bicster]

http://www.plugincars.com/built-americans-mercedes-b-class-electric-drive-128333.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mercedes wants to be compliant, but there's more to the story since the car will be available everywhere in the U.S. as well as in several European countries.

That's encouraging!

 

[Berlino]

Mercedes wants to be compliant, but there's more to the story since the car will be available everywhere in the U.S. as well as in several European countries.

It will not be available in Canada, though. At least not in 2014.

 

[gsleaf]

It won't be available before late 2014 or early 2015, but the spokesperson I spoke with in Frankfurt quickly added that it will be available at the end of next Spring in America

Am I reading this right that it will be released in the US around the middle of 2014?

 

[Bicster]

It won't be available before late 2014 or early 2015, but the spokesperson I spoke with in Frankfurt quickly added that it will be available at the end of next Spring in America

Am I reading this right that it will be released in the US around the middle of 2014?

I think so, but keep in mind that delays are almost inevitable and the rollout will probably not be nationwide at first.

 

[gsleaf]

I think so, but keep in mind that delays are almost inevitable and the rollout will probably not be nationwide at first.

Yeah, I'm just hoping it will be out sometime in 2014 even if it's somewhat limited then. My Leaf lease is up in late 2015. I'd like whatever vehicle that replaces it to have been out for at least 6-12 months so I can see if it has any major issues like the Ford with it's "stop safely now" issue.

 

[GRA]

http://www.plugincars.com/built-americans-mercedes-b-class-electric-drive-128333.html

That's encouraging!

Now _that's_ the kind of cargo area I like to see. But still no QC although a 9.6kW charger, and a claimed 115 mile range on a city cycle which would be a bit more than a LEAF (if we accept the 100 mile LA4 claims).

 

[TonyWilliams]

The battery is 28/24 bigger than the LEAF, so I suspect range related data to be roughly 28/24 further on the B-Class.

Both cars likely have similar similar aerodynamics, "flat plate area" and weight.

Quiz question: what's the easiest way to identify a CARB-ZEV compliance car?

Answer: the manufacturer doesn't waste any effort on DC quick charging.

 

[nosuchthing]

So I guess we're looking at an 85-mile car. What a waste of time. Spark can do 95.

 

[TonyWilliams]

So I guess we're looking at an 85-mile car. What a waste of time. Spark can do 95.

I think you broke the code! They need 100 miles of "city cycle" range to get more credits per car, which just happens to give them all (including Spark EV) about 80-ish miles range, plus or minus 10-15.