Carmaker Daimler AG and utility RWE AG say they will begin a joint electric car and electricity filling station test project in the German capital, called "E-Mobility Berlin."
It is the second electric car test project initiated by Daimler, after electric Smart cars started a trial as fleet vehicles for the police and other services in London last year.
The companies said during a joint news conference in Berlin, accompanied by politicians including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that Daimler would provide more than 100 electric cars from its Mercedes Benz and Smart brands, as well as service for the cars.
Daimler said it would decide over the next several months on some fleet and some private customers, but couldn't say yet who they had in mind for the program.
RWE said it will handle the development, installation and operation of about 500 electricity charging stations, the electricity and central control of the system.
The program will begin testing at the start of next year and should come on line at the end of 2009. It is being supported by the German federal government due to its significance in terms of
sustainable mobility in the future.
Merkel called it "a truly groundbreaking project," for the capital, the auto industry and for utilities.
"'E-mobility Berlin' will be an important part of the strategy of the government for electric mobility," said German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, after the project presentation Friday.
"Our joint initiative is a good example of what can be achieved when policy makers, energy suppliers and the automotive industry all work together toward the same goal," said Dieter Zetsche, the chief executive of Stuttgart-based Daimler.
Zetsche added that he's convinced the future of mobility is green, and that "German industry has all the assets for assuming a leading role in this direction."
Daimler's Smart Electric Drive and Mercedes Benz electric vehicles will be driven with lithium-ion batteries developed specifically for use in the cars.
Daimler said compared to conventional batteries, the technology provides a greater range and a shorter charging time, even with smaller and lighter batteries.
The company said the batteries have a range of about 100 kilometres, and that 90 per cent of German citizens generally drive less than that distance on their everyday trips.
Daimler said it will be launching the lithium-ion battery technology in serial production of the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID next year.
Both companies said the payment system will take the form of the exchange of data between a special in-car communication system and the intelligent electricity charging points for "effective, customer-friendly and convenient everyday operation."
Essen-based RWE said the charging points will be installed at customers' homes, workplaces and in public parking areas.
"In addition, business-to-business partners such as shopping centres, car park operators and fleet customers can be connected into the infrastructure," said Juergen Grossmann, the CEO of RWE.
"The accounting system should be as simple and convenient as when using one's mobile phone," he said.
Shares of Daimler were down 3.6 per cent at 39.99 euros (US$57.20), while RWE shares were down 1 per cent at 68.84 euros (US$98.44) in a broadly lower Frankfurt market.
