Daimler: Petroleum-Free by 2015?

Lots of depressing news concerning energy prices, so this report was a welcome change, if true:

The Sun reports that Mercedes-Benz is aiming to phase out fossil-fuel
powered vehicles over the next seven years, replacing its entire lineup
with autos powered by electric motors, fuel cells, and biofuels.

BUt we won’t have to wait until 2015 to see the first all-electric cars.  EcoGeek reports:

By 2010, Mercedes promises to have on the market an all-electric version of its popular sub-compact, the Smart Fortwo,
as well as a similarly-powered version of one of its higher-end
offerings. Whether it will be based on Benz’s entry-level B-class
hatchback, or some higher-end model has not yet been revealed. “We plan
an electric Smart for 2010 and for the same year a Mercedes (electric)
model as well,” said Dieter Zetsche, aka Dr. Z, to a German paper.

It’s no mere figment. The company already has a fleet of 10 of these
futuristic electro-SMARTIES tooling about the streets of smog-choked

London

along side their eco-cabs,
a city where a few years ago Swedish manufacturer Saab boasted the air
coming out of the tail pipes of its cars was cleaner than the
surrounding air.

Now that Daimler is free from the completely broken Chrysler, it can put its resources into innovation, and take the lead on creating a petroleum-free future.  And if we are today addicted to oil, we can, in part, thank Daimler: in 1879 Karl Benz patented the first gasoline-powered engine.