Wild-Ass Rumor Of the Day: Mercedes To Ditch Gasoline By 2015

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

Whenever we talk about alternative powertrains in development, some people (this writer included) inevitably say: gasoline and to a lesser extent diesel are past, present, and medium-term future. But a number of sources claim Mercedes Benz is thinking otherwise; they're dumping the need for petroleum-based fuels in their future products in favor of electric, fuel cell, and (yuck) biofuels. Apparently Benz has spent billions of Euros on a "sustainable mobility" plan. According to the UK's Sun, Mercedes plans to spend another $14b or so in the next seven years to further develop the petroleum-free lineup. Will Mercedes give up sales in all the parts of the world in which there is no infrastructure for electric or fuel cell cars? The hedging response: their cars would still be capable of running on gasoline or diesel– meaning that biofuel flex fuel cars would satisfy this wild claim from the British tabloid. Even still, huh?

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • BlueEr03 BlueEr03 on Jun 27, 2008

    Yeah, did you all miss the title of this blog? Generally, wild-ass rumor means just that, it is a complete and total rumor that most likely isn't true. Take it as such.

  • AJ AJ on Jun 27, 2008

    And I thought Mr. Fusion is what they were working on??? http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/mr_fusion.jpg

  • ScottSowers ScottSowers on Jun 27, 2008

    Still....it has been awfully quiet over there in Mercedes land. According to research I've done on alternative fuels for housing (solar), Germany is the number one market. We shall be saved or not by the engineers, me thinks....

  • Doug Doug on Jun 27, 2008

    I'm sure if there is any credence to the "rumor" the vehicles will be some kind of flex fuel capable variety. They most certainly will be selling cars that you'll be able to fill up with gasoline, though, they may be able to run one something else as well.

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