First Name | william |
---|---|
Last Name | craven |
Email Address | william.craven@daimler.com |
Affiliation | Daimler AG |
Subject | ZEV mandate |
Comment | Testimony Of Mercedes-Benz Before the California Air Resources Board On Possible Amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Program March 27th, 2008 Walter Puetz Director, Regulatory Affairs Thank you, Madam Chairman, members of the board and ARB staff for the opportunity to testify before you decide on the issue of possible amendments to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Program. My name is Walter Puetz, and I am Director of Regulatory Affairs for Mercedes-Benz. Over the years, Mercedes-Benz introduced many of the technological and safety features that have become common in modern vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is owned by Daimler AG. In the US Daimler brands also include Freightliner trucks, Orion and Thomas built bus and smart car. World wide Daimler employs over 300,000 people dedicated to the transportation industry. Mercedes-Benz is researching, developing and commercializing a portfolio of technologies that will increase fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions ultimately to zero. One of these technologies that I would like to highlight today is hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We believe fuel cell vehicles have the best chance of giving customers what they want, 300 miles or greater range and fast refuelling. So far we have spent over one billion dollars on fuel cell vehicle development. Recently top management made another historic decision and that is to launch a small series of fuel cell vehicles in 2010. We are on a path that by 2015 a fuel cell vehicle produced in an annual volume of 100,000 or more can be equivalent in cost to a diesel hybrid vehicle. However, there is one critical component of the commercialization plan that we have little to no control over - The deployment of a hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in California. Through the California Fuel Cell Vehicle Partnership we worked with ARB staff the auto industry and energy industry to identify the location of 40 – 50 fuelling stations that are needed for the next phase of commercialization of fuel cell vehicles in California. Recent events including the closure of several existing fuelling stations and statements by energy companies that there is no interest in deploying new fuelling stations have us very, very concerned. Mercedes understands and appreciates the attempt in the proposal of the revised ZEV mandate to be technology neutral and have the auto industry deciding with which technologies to use ZEV requirements be fulfilled. Unfortunately, the proposal might be understood as a signal from CARB, fuel cell technology is not of interest any more. Why? The new proposal allows OEMs to achieving all Gold credits with Plug in Hybrids and BEVs. As a result of this, energy companies see higher risk in investing in a hydrogen infrastructure. Therefore we kindly ask the Board: 1 As a clear signal of a CARB commitment, keep a certain number of FC vehicles mandatory in the revised ZEV regulation; 2 Increase the number of gold credits for fuel cell vehicles to reflect their current high and long-term consumer benefits. 3 Develop a plan that we can count on to ensure there is a hydrogen infrastructure in California. We thank you for your time and we are open for further discussing this issue with you. |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2008-03-20 10:22:03 |
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