Mercedes is hailing the fuel cell as the energy supply for tomorrow's vehicles, as it unveils its new F600 Hygenius at the Tokyo Motor Show.

This fuel cell vehicle also has an electric motor powered by regenerative breaking, enabling it to run on the fuel cell, the motor or both together to achieve 115 horsepower.

Mercedes claims that the F600 has an equivalent fuel-efficiency of 98 mpg and it produces zero emissions.

The company has overcome some of the difficulties associated with hydrogen fuel cells hydrogen fuel cells in order to produce an improved product.

According to DaimlerChrysler's Professor Herbert Kohler, the new cell is "around 40 per cent more compact than previously, runs more efficiently than ever and is notable for its good cold-start characteristics".

Mercedes believes that fuel cells will play an important part in future vehicle production and their development will help towards making vehicles environmentally sound.

DaimlerChrysler's Professor Thomas Webber called the F600 "a major step towards bringing the fuel cell drive up to full production maturity". A goal they hope to have reached by 2012 to 2015.

The F600 Hygenius will be on show at the Tokyo Motor Show, running from October 22nd to November 1st.



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