From nature for nature: Mercedes-Benz has for many years focused on the use of natural materials. The key advantage of natural raw materials lies in its high environmental compatibility – from production right through to disposal.

The seat covers of the new C-Class Saloon include 15% pure sheep's wool, for example. The result is better moisture absorption and an improved seat climate. Other natural materials in the interior include flax, hemp, sisal and coconut fibre. Mercedes-Benz is also the first automotive manufacturer to use renewable raw materials both for the exterior and interior. Fibres obtained from the abaca banana plant, for example, partially replace the conventional glass fibre structure of the spare-wheel well in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Coupé. A positive side effect: this requires 60% less energy compared with the manufacturing process for conventional glass fibre structures.

Fuel is another exciting area of implementation for natural raw materials. A high-grade biodiesel with an outstanding CO2 balance can be produced from the oil-containing seeds of the jatropha plant, for example. The plant does not require fertiliser or pesticides and grows on poor soil where food cultivation is not feasible. It also prevents ground erosion and can be an important additional source of income for many countries.

Another biological fuel is SunDiesel®. SunDiesel® is produced from plant residues, is almost completely CO2-neutral and boasts considerably improved ignition characteristics than conventional diesel fuel. SunDiesel® also contains no sulphur or aromatic compounds and significantly reduces pollutant emissions. And the plant residues used for the production of SunDiesel® do not conflict with the production of foodstuffs.

Natural gas is one of the best known alternative fuels. Its principal constituent is methane (CH4) and it has the lowest carbon content (which is converted to CO2 during combustion) of all fossil fuels. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot and reactive hydrocarbons are also lower. One kilogram of natural gas has an energy content equivalent to that of 1.5 litres of petrol. The designation CNG stands for compressed natural gas (natural gas stored in pressure tanks).

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels provide a natural gas option. Natural gas is processed to a particularly high-grade, low-emission diesel fuel. The GTL fuel does not contain sulphur or aromatic hyrdocarbons and is one of the cleanest and highest quality fuels for diesel engines. GTL is not CO2-neutral, though compliance with exhaust regulations can be maintained with the low-emission diesel.

The availability of hydrogen is a crucial part of emission-free mobility using fuel-cell vehicles. In a chemical reaction with oxygen in a fuel cell, hydrogen is converted directly into electrical energy, which is used to drive an electric motor. Mercedes-Benz presented its first research vehicle with fuel-cell drive as early as 1994. Today more than 100 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, buses and vans with fuel-cell drive are in everyday operation and have covered more than four million kilometres.