Daimler calls time on research into fuel cell technology
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has announced that hydrogen fuel cells are no longer the central focus of the company. Fuel cells offer better range and refuelling times than batteries, but this advantage has been eroded by a lack of infrastructure support for fuel cell vehicles and the falling cost of batteries, Daimler says. While Daimler may cease research into fuel cell vehicles, the German automaker will still produce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the GLC SUV. Production is expected to begin in at the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018. 
Daimler bids farewell to fuel cell technology Business news | March 28, 2017 By Christoph Hammerschmidt



At an automotive congress in Stuttgart Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said the fuel cell is no longer playing a central role for the company. Though Daimler still is in possession of leading-edge fuel cell technology, the edge of this technology over the battery-electric approach is dwindling, Zetsche said. Initially, fuel cell-powered vehicle offered a much better driving range and shorter refueling times compared to batteries. State-of-the-art battery technology however made this advantage melt down, in particular if the price is taken into account. “Battery costs are declining rapidly whereas hydrogen production remains very costly,” Zetsche said.

Nevertheless, the company still plans to produce a limited series of its GLC SUV with fuel cell drive by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018. This car however will address the market for fleet operators in the first place, Zetsche said, adding that the fuel cell will remain an “interesting solution”, but it only will be commercially viable if hydrogen can be produced at a large scale through renewable energy.

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