Mercedes and the BlueTEC System

Mercedes-Benz has long been an industry leader in terms of luxury and style. As the world's oldest automaker still in existence, this manufacturer has created many technological and safety features that have later been utilized by other companies. This company is a trendsetter in all aspects of automotive developments. With growing concern worldwide about environmental problems, many car makers are shifting focus to better fuel sources or fuel economy. It is, therefore, no surprise that Mercedes is setting the standard for cleaner diesel engines. 

The makers of the world's first diesel engine have now created the cleanest one. Utilizing what is called BlueTEC technology, these engines incorporate filters and a water-based additive, called AdBlue, which mixes with the exhaust in a catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is a mechanism that creates a chemical reaction to lower the toxicity of the engine's byproducts. The engine's exhaust gases, when mixed with the additive, are converted from nitrogen oxide pollutants to simple nitrogen and water. This conversion process almost completely eliminates the diesel's harmful emissions. 

The crucial element in order for this process to take place is ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel. Available nationwide, this type of diesel fuel drastically decreases emissions because it has greatly reduced sulfur content. The new clean diesel Mercedes cars are designed specifically to run on this fuel. The low-sulfur diesel became available in 2006, and it produces less harmful exhaust than the old standard diesel fuel. This improved version has helped make diesel vehicles more popular in the United States. For years, Americans have not purchased vehicles that run on diesel very much because they were loud and had excessive exhaust toxins. The low-sulfur diesel is changing this opinion, especially when coupled with the innovations of BlueTEC cars.

Three of the vehicles available with this incredible technology are the ML350 BlueTEC, GL350 BlueTEC, and R350 BlueTEC. These automobiles can travel up to 600 miles on one tank of gas. They average about 20 to 30 percent better fuel economy over normal gas cars of similar sizes. This is because they have improved combustion in addition to a filtration system. Since the conversion process significantly lowers the negative exhaust gases, these three BlueTEC cars also meet the emissions standards in every state. Mercedes has introduced other diesel models that utilize the exhaust treatment, including the E350 BlueTEC Sedan and the ML250 4MATIC. The ML250 has a 4-cylinder diesel engine, which makes it even more fuel efficient. 

Mercedes has also taken several other initiatives to improve the environment. For example, the car maker has made advances in fuel cell technology with the B-Class F-CELL vehicle. It incorporates an electric motor, which is powered by a fuel cell stack and a lithium ion battery. This type of technology offers another way of economizing fuel and reducing emissions. The electricity is produced through electrochemical reactions of oxygen and hydrogen. The only byproduct is water, making this type of vehicle environmentally safe. 

The drive to produce new forms of energy and power is evident throughout the car manufacture industry. Though all automakers seem to be creating similar hybrid vehicles, Mercedes seems to be the leader in the diesel engine technology. The next possibility may be a BlueTEC hybrid vehicle in the near future.