Jochen Strenkert

Analysis of the impact of information about future driving situations on the energy consumption

Locally emission-free driving with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) demands accurate information about the energy demand for driving in certain areas or for reaching the next charging station. In order to avoid using the internal combustion engine, this study shows the impact of information about future driving situations on the accurate prediction of the required energy demand. To generate realistic data of specific driving situations, a simulation environment has been developed. Due to paramaterizable settings, it enables reproducible analyses of different influences on the energy demand, in particular of the traffic, the traffic control and the driving characteristics. Since especially urban driving is interesting for electric driving with PHEVs, the analyses concentrate on urban driving. The results show that it is more important to know the traffic situation in urban areas than on highways.

The intelligent operating strategy of the Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

With the S 400 Hybrid in 2009, Mercedes-Benz introduced its first commercial hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). This P1-hybrid system, along with the first fully electric driving ML 450 Hybrid, were the foundation for the upcoming second-generation hybrid system, which first was offered in 2012 in the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid – the world´s first diesel-hybrid vehicle in the premium segment. This highly efficient P2-hybrid system was able to reduce its CO2 emissions to 99 g CO2/km.

Plug-in hybrid by Mercedes-Benz – The technology kit for future consumption targets

Mercedes-Benz introduced the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in 2014, starting with the S 500 e an externally rechargeable hybrid with 33 km electric range. Hereinafter, additional varieties with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder gasoline engines were released out of a modularly technology kit, scaling the internal combustion engine and the electric powertrain in line with the vehicle segment. This way electric ranges of at least 30 km were realized both in the SUV and premium segment. This paper covers the essential characteristics of the modularly technology kit and the different plug-in hybrid powertrains as well as the electric range requirements of the different vehicles. It further illustrates the operating strategy of the Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid vehicles and its application. In doing so, the rule-based operating strategy is described based on the main aspects of a fuel-optimal hybrid operation.

PLUG-IN Hybrid from Mercedes-Benz – The next generation PLUG-IN Hybrid with 4-cylinder gasoline engine

The modularly structured hybrid system from Mercedes-Benz has been available in combination with gasoline and diesel engines since 2012. Previous experiences in the hybrid series production development have shown that although batteries of higher capacity enhance the electric driving experience, there are no further benefits in terms of efficiency and package. For this reason, Mercedes-Benz made a decision on the combination of increased electrical capacity with the option of external recharging. To this end, the S500 plug-in hybrid was initially launched in 2014. For the first time a variant with 4-cylinder gasoline engine has subsequently emanated from the modular hybrid system. In combination with an electrical range of 31 km, this downsizing allows previously unknown certification of 48 g CO2/km in this class. Furthermore, agility values on the 6-cylinder level could be implemented with very direct driving characteristics due to the increased capacity of the battery, the selected powertrain topology and the direct response of the electrical machine.