Mercedes GLC F-Cell review: Tesla rival uses HYDROGEN so you don’t have to waste time charging
Mercedes is investing in fuel cell technology to create a zero emissions SUV that emits just water
YOU can drive the £136,000 Tesla Model X P100D for 336 miles before you run out of juice – but you need at least 30 minutes to top up the batteries.
Compare that to Mercedes’ latest fuel-cell vehicle, which can be brimmed with hydrogen in three minutes like a regular petrol car, and road-tripping in an electric vehicle suddenly seems more appealing.
The German firm is investing heavily in hydrogen technology, which it thinks could be the perfect replacement for diesel.
The GLC F-Cell will only be available in Western Europe and Japan for now but could make its way to the UK soon.
From the outside, you wouldn’t know it is packing two carbon-wrapped hydrogen tanks and the running gear from the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid.
A quick spin around the Mercedes lab near Stuttgart revealed a typically wafting ride, with little shudder or shake – and eerily quiet.
Key facts: Mercedes GLC F-Cell
Price: To be announced
Engine: Polymer electrolyte membrane, electric motor
Top speed: 100mph
Range: 272 miles (NEDC, hybrid mode)
Power: 197bhp/350Nm
CO2: 0g/km
The set-up is 40 per cent more powerful than Mercedes’ B- Class F-Cell and it is all delivered to the rear wheels, so it could even be fun if pushed hard.
A number of driving modes make it easy to cycle between battery-only, hydrogen and a mix of the two.
You can plug in to top up the batteries in the usual way and enjoy 30 miles of electric motoring without touching hydrogen supplies.
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But Mercedes has created a system that is more intelligent than the current network of public hydrogen fuelling stations.
You can easily drive across Germany or the state of California without the risk of running out but the picture is grimmer here, in France and Italy.
That is a shame, as early insights suggest the GLC F-Cell could be a peach of a car to live with.