Mercedes-Benz Cars unveils its strategy to become carbon-neutral by 2039
Daimler AG is pushing ahead with the transformation to emission-free mobility.
Sustainability is one of the key elements of Daimler's corporate strategy and at the same time a benchmark for corporate success. The future Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Ola Källenius, who is currently still responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development as a member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, presented the targets for the car division under the heading “Ambition2039” at a press event.
According to the “Ambition2039,” Mercedes-Benz Cars aims to have a carbon-neutral new passenger car fleet in 20 years. This means a fundamental transformation of the company within less than three product cycles. “That's not much time when you consider that fossil fuels have dominated our business since the invention of the car by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler some 130 years ago. But as a company founded by engineers, we believe technology can also help to engineer a better future. Our way to sustainable mobility is innovation - in a holistic approach along the entire value chain,” said Ola Källenius, Board Member responsible Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
With the EQC, Mercedes-Benz Cars is introducing the first of an entire generation of electric Mercedes models. By 2030 the company aims to have electric models make up more than half of their car sales - that includes all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The German automaker wants to significantly reduce CO2 emissions per vehicle. The R&D team is working together with established partners and startups alike to bring EV performance up and costs down.
The company's approach also includes the continuous development of mobility services, to spread the use of electric models. In addition to cars, Mercedes-Benz is also electrifying vans, trucks and buses. And the modular development enables the rapid transfer of technology between the company's divisions. The current focus is on battery-electric mobility. But there's also room and need to continue to work on other solutions, for example, the fuel cell or eFuels.
The GLC F-CELL is one proof point. This technology will also find use in the Group's city buses. Today, no one knows for sure which drivetrain mix will best serve customers' needs 20 years from now. That's why the automaker encourages policy makers to pave the way for tech neutrality.
Electricity in the life cycle of an electric car is - in some regions - a very significant source of CO2 depending on how it's generated. Daimler wants to inspire customers to charge their green vehicles with green energy. With Mercedes Me Charge, for example, they enable drivers to conveniently charge their cars at various public charging stations in Europe, wherever possible with energy from renewable sources.
But the transformation to a sustainable mobility of the future will only succeed if the auto industry, energy suppliers and policy makers are working hand in hand. It requires massive investments and tangible action also beyond the auto sector. Carbon-neutral energy and a comprehensive infrastructure are indispensable for this system change. And the company is open to a discussion on effective CO2 pricing as well as incentives for low/ no carbon technology - preferably on a global scale.
Mercedes-Benz Cars unveils its strategy to become carbon-neutral by 2039
Modified on Tuesday 14th May 2019
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Mercedes-Benz Cars unveils its strategy to become carbon-neutral by 2039