[Enzo]

There are some new reports the Daimler will be buying $23 billion worth of battery cells for their EV's. This is to ensure that as their ready for mass production that they don't run into any supply issues. The owner of MB has said they plan to launch around 130 electric and hybrid vehicles across their portfolio by 2022, which includes vans, buses and trucks. https://www.news18.com/news/auto/mercedes-benz-owner-daimler-to-buy-23-billion-of-battery-cells-for-electric-car-drive-1971537.html

 

[Quinn]

Glad to hear that their plans for electrification includes buses and other large transport vehicles. There is no reason for cities to continue relying on diesel engines for public transport, especially with the shorter routes that they usually take.

 

[PetersBenz]

$23 billion is nothing compared to the advantage it will give them in ensuring Mercedes products are easy to come across. Which explains why spotting new Mercedes products after launch is so easy.

 

[Enzo]

You do wonder why this isn't more scrutiny over the emissions created by the transport and service industry. Surely postal vans and semi trucks contribute a huge amount of pollution, but yet we are just now finally starting to see some electric alternatives.

 

[PetersBenz]

You do wonder why this isn't more scrutiny over the emissions created by the transport and service industry. Surely postal vans and semi trucks contribute a huge amount of pollution, but yet we are just now finally starting to see some electric alternatives.

Special interest groups have a lot of influence, them moving from public to private positions quite often alone hints to whats going on. Money is the root of it

 

[Quinn]

Yeah I can imagine that the costs of the battery packs needed in such large vehicles, just wasn't cost effective years ago. But with the newer concepts we have seen from Tesla and Nikola, it looks like the technology has finally reached a point where its ready for mass market adoption.

 

[PetersBenz]

GM also had over 1000 version of its EV1 electric car prototypes making its rounds but got the plug pulled. Fortunately it lead to the Volt launching when it did.