Daimler subsidiary NuCellSys becomes Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH

The potential of fuel cell technology, and of hydrogen for energy storage, is beyond question. At NuCellSys GmbH – a fully owned subsidiary of Daimler AG - the Group pools its development activities for this technology. With the conclusion of the development of the holistic fuel cell system for the new Mercedes-Benz GLC F‑CELL (combined hydrogen consumption: 0.34 kg/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; combined electrical consumption: 13.7 kWh/100 km)*, NuCellSys is the new star in the firmament for the coming development projects: as of January 2019 the company is operating under the name Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH.

"Fuel cell technology is an integral part of our drive system strategy", says Professor Christian Mohrdieck, Head of Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH and thus responsible for fuel cell drive system development at Daimler AG. "Zero local CO2 emissions, long ranges and short refuelling times, plus a wide range of applications from cars to buses, other large commercial vehicles and not least also for stationary applications make the technology a futureproof alternative. By changing the company name we are sending a clear signal and emphasising the future relevance of fuel cell technology. We are also dovetailing more closely with Daimler AG."

Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell: experienced specialist for automotive fuel cells from the passenger car to the city bus

Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH is founded on deep and long-standing know-how in fuel cell technology. All activities concerned with developing fuel cell systems have been focused at the Nabern site near Kirchheim-Teck since 1997. Since 2009 the company has been a fully owned subsidiary of Daimler AG and a worldwide leader in the development of fuel cell and hydrogen systems for vehicle applications. Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH is responsible for system concepts and development, component and software development as well as testing and validation. Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH also develops all components for 700-bar hydrogen storage.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL

The overall drivetrain and the hydrogen storage system of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL, which celebrated its market launch just at the end of October, also comes from the fuel cell development centre in Nabern. The components and drive unit were subjected to stringent individual and endurance testing on a variety of test benches. The first prototypes were also built here.

All set for the future

There is already a new project on the agenda following development completion of the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL: in the coming years fuel cell technology is also set to electrify the Mercedes-Benz Citaro city bus. In the past several dozen Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid city buses have already demonstrated their strengths in public service. In order to use the technology in other automotive segments and large volumes in future, Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH is already in the midst of the task of further developing the fuel cell system to ensure that it can be flexibly incorporated into the Group-wide electric modular system.

* Figures for fuel consumption, electrical consumption and CO2 emissions are provisional and were determined by the technical service for the certification process in accordance with the WLTP test method and correlated into NEDC figures. The EC type approval and a certificate of conformity with official figures are not yet available. Differences between the stated figures and the official figures are possible.

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