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"   DETROIT\u2014 Future cars will be most likely still be powered by internal combustion engines, but there will be alternatives. The question for automakers is, which one should we invest most in? Alternative\u2014fuel cells, battery electric and plug-in hybrids are all battling in a format war for a new future standard in auto industry.   While, at this point, the winner will be anyone&amp;#039;s guess, Mercedes is working on a concept that can quickly adapt to several powertrains.   The main idea of the five-door Concept Blue Zero is a double floor that can accommodate all of the key powertrain components. The one on the show floor has a lithium-ion battery pack under the passengers and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. The battery pack could be easily substituted for a fuel cell and hydrogen storage.   This type of flexibility will probably be critically important in the future and Mercedes envisions offering the car in three versions. The E-Cell is purely electric and can travel 124 miles on a charge, the E-Cell Plus adds a range-extending gas engine but can still travel 60 miles on electric power, and finally the F-Cell employs a fuel cell to achieve a 248-mile hydrogen-powered range.   Mercedes says that all of the cars would be capable of accelerating to 60 mph in under 11 seconds. The company also points out that the design offers real-world practicality like a 1000-pound carrying capacity, roomy luggage compartment, and a low center of gravity. \u2014Larry Webster    RELATED STORIES \u2022 FUEL CELL: Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell Test Drive   \u2022 PLUG-IN: 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Test Drive   \u2022 DETROIT 2009: Cars, News and Analysis from the Detroit Auto Show   "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a12767/4299023/>