There’s an argument to be made that since gas prices continue to tumble, automakers should turn their focus away from developing the sort of ultra-efficient, green automobiles that sip their fuel rather than guzzle it, but we all know that gas prices are a notoriously fickle thing, and the benefits to green auto technology extend way beyond what it may save consumers in dollars at the gas pump.
In their attempt to creep toward the apex of the industry in terms of plug-in electric technology, Mercedes-Benz recently announced plans to ramp up plug-in electric hybrid car development and production, to the tune of ten new plug-in cars available in the U.S. market by the end of the 2017 calendar year.
The electric-only range of these vehicles, meaning the distance they can travel without using a single drop of fuel, currently is about 20 miles, which is a nice start for an automaker that strives to offer the best features possible in every arena they can, but what really got fans of the brand interested was a recent comment by Mercedes-Benz product chief Thomas Weber, who said in an interview that by the next generation of these vehicles (around five years, one assumes) he hopes to see the electric motor offer a range of 60 miles on a single charge.
As for what models will get the plug-in treatment, it looks like the new S-Class, GLE-Class and C-Class lines are most likely, though in half a decade it’s possible that we could see added drivetrains across the brand’s lineup. As your Mercedes-Benz dealer, we certainly hope to play a big part in getting these vehicles into the hands of eager consumers, but for now we’re pleased with the strides Mercedes-Benz is making toward green driving and very much look forward to the future.
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