Daimler predicts price declines for EVs, fuel cells
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"A few years ago, the price was at about 1,500 euros per kilowatt hour [for a lithium ion battery]. In the midterm we should be at a level of 400 euros," Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive and future mobility at Daimler, told Automotive News Europe.
Kohler said he expected an even bigger price decrease for fuel cells.
"By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard," Kohler said.
He added that he expects EVs to be more expensive than fuel cells in less than five years.
 | Daimler's Kohler says the automaker wants to have at least 1,000 fuel cell cars on the road in the next 3 years. |
That is why Daimler is working fast to get more fuel cell cars on the road.
"By 2013-2014, we want to bring a four-digit-number of fuel cell vehicles to market," Kohler said.
Daimler has spent the past year running a test fleet of its B-class fuel cells cars. The company plans to launch a second-generation of the car when it starts building the next-generation A- and B-class models on its new front-wheel drive architecture in 2013-2014. Kohler added that Daimler may make fuel cell versions of the C- and E-class luxury models
Another reason Daimler is bullish on fuel cells is because of its cooperation with German supplier Linde AG.
"For gas-producers in general, fuel-cells are a very profitable business-case" Kohler said. "I expect that there will be a network of 1,000 fuel-stations in Germany alone in the mid-term. This means that you will find a fuel-station for your fuel cell within 30 kilometers."
When asked about media speculation that Daimler and Toyota Motor Corp. plan to work closer together on fuel cells, Kohler said: "We have talked about basic technologies and we want to continue that. But a close cooperation is not in sight so far."
