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Lithium is the new petrol: Mercedes



GERMANY newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported this week that Mercedes-Benz will focus its research and development efforts on electric motors that are “technically superior” to electronic fuel-powered internal combustion engines.

The report quotes Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius as saying that the three-pointed star brand will only develop electric vehicle structures in the future, while also highlighting the advantages electric motors offer. in terms of energy efficiency – let alone CO2 emissions from the exhaust – cannot match e-fuel vehicles.

Mr. Kallenius told FAZ: “We said four years ago that our new fleet of vehicles along the entire value chain would become CO2 neutral on the balance sheet by 2039. That is our goal. us,” Kallenius told FAZ.

“Electric vehicles are still a nascent technology compared to internal combustion engines (and) we still see great potential for growth. Electric drives will surpass internal combustion engines in performance before the end of the decade,” he predicts.

Mr Kallenius said Mercedes-Benz will continue to develop ICE engines to meet more stringent Euro 7 emissions standards but added that by 2026 it will reduce its investment in ICE development “by about 80%”. .

Based on European Automotive NewsChina will be the final market where Mercedes-Benz offers the ICE powertrain, and then only the plug-in hybrid option developed in partnership with Geely.

Mr. Kallenius also reaffirmed Mercedes-Benz’s plan to continue the growth strategy of the luxury market, while working to provide more sustainable entry-level models.

“The new technology we are developing for our luxury cars to be eco-sustainable will also be used in other cars at some point in the future – and let’s not forget that our cars last longer, which is also a contribution to sustainability,” representative FAZ The report continues.

When asked by FAZ Regarding Mercedes-Benz’s recent price cut for its flagship EQS in China, Kallenius said the initial price is higher than in other markets.

“We were a bit too optimistic there. Now we have adjusted the price accordingly,” he said.

Mr Kallenius said the global transition to electric vehicles was happening much faster than expected and warned that charging infrastructure and power supplies needed significant investment to keep up.

“The charging infrastructure must be expanded as quickly as possible and we must do everything we can to promote the generation of green electricity,” he continued, adding that manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz will “product care”.

Swedish-born CEO says FAZ that he believes lithium is the “new oil” and said a political strategy is needed to source it and other materials needed to build electric vehicles, battery packs and chargers.

“Building lithium mining and processing capacity is a huge industrial undertaking.

“These raw materials will not be mined in Europe. To do that, we need trade agreements with Canada, South America and Australia. That is where government support is needed.”

With Automotive News Europe and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

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