Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell
This GLC falls into the category of plug-in hybrids, with the substantial difference that, instead of the thermal engine, here is a hydrogen-powered fuel cell that supplies most of the energy on board. Two tanks placed one under the sofa, where there is usually one of petrol, and a second placed longitudinally (instead of transmission) allow to store about 4.4 kg of hydrogen (at the pressure of 700 bar), sufficient to guarantee a autonomy of 427 km (according to the Nedc cycle). But there is also a lithium ion battery, with a capacity of 13.7 kWh, rechargeable through the normal electrical network, which provides another 51 km of autonomy, for a total of 478, and supports the fuel cell when the maximum power. Consisting of 412 elements, the fuel cell is placed in front, while the lithium-ion battery, the inverter and the battery charger are placed behind it. The electric motor, with a power of 155 kW and a torque of 365 Nm, provides the bike directly to the rear wheels. In the fuel cell, the hydrogen combines with oxygen (pumped into the elements with a sophisticated electric compressor) producing electricity and … water, which is the only thing that actually comes out of the exhaust of this car .
The guidance of the F-Cell GLC does not require any special attention. Just like on traditional electric, just move the gear selector lever on Drive (in reality it would be improper to call it like this because there is not a real gearbox on this car, but only a speed reducer) and sink the accelerator pedal to see the car buy speed accompanied only by the slight hiss of the electric motor and the electronics that control it. The fuel cell produces up to 75 kW of power; if more is requested, the electronics will automatically take the one needed directly from the lithium-ion battery. Who is behind the wheel, obviously does not notice anything. This happens if you have selected the Hybrid driving mode, but you can also choose to use only the energy supplied by the fuel cell only (F-Cell mode), in this case you have at most 75 kW of power preserving the charge of the lithium-ion battery, or vice versa, to draw energy only from the latter (Battery mode). Then there is a last possibility, called Charge, with which you can recharge the traditional battery using the power of the fuel cell.
