The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Industry News

Daimler and RWE launch the second phase of their joint-project in Berlin that will push for greater e-mobility and broaden the charging infrastructure in Berlin.

Until recently policy makers, car manufacturers and energy companies were running circles about how to introduce e-mobility. Car manufacturers argued that nobody would buy EV’s as there were no charging terminals and energy companies argued that as long as there are no EV’s there will be no charging terminals. This debate went on until Daimler and RWE began cooperating on a project to introduce wider e-mobility in Berlin. Today, 18 December, the project begins to bear some fruit as Daimler prepares to introduce 100 e-smarts onto the streets of Berlin.

The second generation electro smart is the first EV by a European car manufacturer to be mass produced. Daimler introduced a Lithium- Ion battery into the car. The battery capacity can be charged from around 30 percent to around 80 percent in just three to four hours – that equates a distance of more than 100 kilometres. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear and provides good acceleration with 120 Newton meters of torque immediately available from the start. On full capacity the electric battery can travel 135 km’s. Thanks to the no-shift electric drive it also guarantees high agility.

Car, charging terminal and 18 months of free electricity included

On its part RWE has introduced a variety of charging stations for both the home and for public operation. RWE is establishing and operating the charging infrastructure for "e-mobility Berlin". 500 charging points are being successively set up in urban areas of Berlin. The charging stations for public operation and the RWE home charging stations are new developments. Currently the charging stations only use a scarce amount of the electricity from renewable sources. However in future, RWE plans to use the electricity from renewable energy sources and will compensate demand peaks in the grid - in line with the principle "Greater protection of the environment through innovation". The charging terminals enable fast charging and have an assured charging capacity of 22 kW for the RWE home charging terminal and 44 kW at public charging terminals.

In line with the smart grid concept Daimler and RWE are using advanced telematics to ensure that users can determine the charging time and rate of the car. This means that users can control the charging, remotely, according to prices and peak times on the grid. Furthermore to offer their drivers comfort on both hot and cold days the designer allows the user to pre-heat or pre-cool remotely. The car and domestic charging station (the so-called wallbox) would cost roughly €50,000. Currently however it is only possible to lease the car and station for €700 a month, this does however include electricity for 18 months.