The F125! actually checks a lot of boxes in the wish list of car manufacturers for the future. It has high quality materials, driving that is computer assisted, high tech telematics, and the fuel cell hydrogen drivetrain.

The F125! might sound like a big science project but according to the research and development team of Mercedes-Benz, it holds the key to the future of the S-Class line of the brand. The car, according to the team, was built keeping in mind what the car in 2025 will look like.

The future S Class puts it way above the regulatory standards of today. By 2025, the fuel mileage of a vehicle must average 54.5 miles per gallon while in EU the CO2 emission must average only 130 grams per kilometer by 2015. These limits puts manufacturers of big internal combustion engined vehicles like the S Class against the wall, that is why Daimler decides to go with an electric drive.

Going electric does not solve the dilemma on the S-Class since the market for this car demands power, and cruising range. And Mercedes-Benz is thinking of 1,000 kilometers with zero emission which will meet tough regulations by 2025. To address the range and power issue, the only answer is to go with fuel cells to run the 4 electric motors of the F125!.

Daimler though is giving the F125! the feel when you start your ride today, so instead of using the standard design, the concept vehicle makes use of a system which is still on research stage. The technologies involve are next generation systems but is still under development.

Brumby said in a statement that these i-MiEV units will play a part in the Victorian Government’s trial for electric vehicle.  He mentioned that the government is fully committed in their initiative to make the state a greener and cleaner environment; therefore, the $5 million electric vehicle test trial is the government’s way of ensuring that the state is electric vehicle-friendly.

Brumby also mentioned that the Victorian Government is working hand-in-hand with the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) in looking for at least 180 families who are willing to take part in the test trial.  These families will get to test drive the electric vehicles for almost three months.  This is a good way to see how the plug-in charging, electricity network, and the test drives will fit into the daily lives of the test applicants and how successful the electric vehicles are in adapting to day-to-day situations.  The test trial will also include light commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and two-wheelers.  Brumby said that the test trial is part of the Victorian Government’s $38 billion Transport Plan and that this will enable the government to see how they can make the these electric vehicles more useful on the road and for the people.

Recently, the two partner companies have signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that sets the parameters of their relationship with each other. The MOU centers on Ener1’s entry into the Japanese market.

ITOCHU has established networks and partnerships with Japan’s automotive community. With this strategic partnership, Ener1’s entry into the new market should be smooth sailing.

This partnership also sets the floor for Ener1’s entry into Japan’s solar power market. This new niche provides further possibilities for Ener1’a already thriving business.

To date, Ener1 is the sole company capable of large-scale lithium-ion production in the United States. It produces enough batteries to support 1.17 megawatt hours of electricity every year. With an even stronger partnership with ITOCHU, Ener1 is looking at a 3.12 megawatt hours expansion this year.

Both companies are shaking on wide expansions in both in the US and Japanese markets. ITOCHU is thinking about producing an equipment line which will give credit to Ener1 in ITOCHU’s own expansions in the Japanese market scene.

With this recent MOU, ITOCHU is hoping to make the company’s international presence even stronger. They hope that the partnership with Ener1 will open the doors into the Tier One supply community and Asian auto manufacturers like Hyundai or Toyota around the globe.