02.11.2011 Messe Frankfurt adds emission-free cars to its fleet of vehicles

Mercedes-Benz provides battery-driven A-Class E-Cell and hydrogen B-Class F-Cell

Sustainable thinking and actions play a central role at Messe Frankfurt, emphasised Dr. Andreas Winckler, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Medien und Service GmbH, as he took delivery of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell and a B-Class F-Cell from Burkhard Wagner, manager of the Mercedes Benz dealership in Frankfurt / Offenbach.

The A-Class E-Cell is an electric car running on two rechargeable lithium ion batteries, while the B-Class F-Cell uses fuel cells to generate power for its electric motor. Winckler was highly satisfied with the two cars, commenting: “The acquisition of the E-Cell and F-Cell vehicles improves our CO2 balance a little bit more. It is one of many small and large measures our company has undertaken in the name of sustainable business. We are convinced that whether with rechargeable batteries or fuel cells, electric cars play an essential role in sustainable mobility.” These measures also include installing photovoltaic systems on selected hall roofs in the past months and years, for instance.

“The B-Class F-Cell is currently in limited series production. Roughly 200 vehicles have been delivered to companies, including about 10 in Frankfurt and its vicinity”, said Burkhard Wagner when presenting the cars to Messe Frankfurt. “We are very proud to have recruited Messe Frankfurt as a partner for our new technological developments.”

Winckler needed no persuasion to test Messe Frankfurt’s new F-Cell. Following instructions on its operation, he took it on its inaugural trip – and generated 0.0 g of CO2 in the process. At the heart of the F-Cell is the new generation of electric drives based on fuel cells, which create electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen directly in the vehicle. The by-product is pure water instead of polluting emissions.

The fuel cell drive of the F-Cell gives the electric car a range of roughly 385 kilometres, and it only takes three minutes to fill the car with hydrogen. Rated at 100 kW/136 HP, the vehicle’s motor delivers a torque of 290 newton metres.

The A-Class E-Cell on the other hand is a purely electric car. It can be charged from a common household socket or at dedicated charging stations (wall boxes). It takes eight hours at 230 V to charge enough electricity to drive 100 km, or three hours at 400 V. The two lithium ion batteries with a capacity of 36 kWh are stored in the floor of the vehicle and provide this A-Class with a range of 255 km. The peak output of the electric motor is 70 kW/95 HP.

“The two cars perfectly meet our needs”, remarked Winckler. “We will use them for the most part on our exhibition grounds and for trips within Frankfurt. At the moment, we have not committed to any one technology, rather are testing different development directions – very much in accordance with Messe Frankfurt’s diversification strategy.”

Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 448.3 million euros in sales and more than 1,600 active employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2010, Messe Frankfurt organised 87 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.