Mercedes-Benz is working on an affordable B-Class hydrogen fuel-cell car that will see production, on a small-scale, before the end of 2009.

It is likely that this hydrogen vehicle will at least somewhat based on the BlueZero concept (pictured above) that was revealed to a lot of interest earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show.

Also, around the same time, Mercedes-Benz plans to build some Smart Fortwo hatchbacks for testing in the e-mobility Berlin project – what they are calling “the largest electric car field test in the world.”

If you’ve been thinking about picking up new hybrid sedan, it might interest you that the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid launch month has just been announced. Sales of the S400 Hybrid will begin in the United States in August of this year.

The S400 Hybrid sedan marks Mercedes’ first foray into the world of full production hybrid vehicles.

The S400 can best be described as light-weight hybrid with its 20 HP motor assisting a 305 HP 2.5L V6 engine with it’s seven-speed transmission.

The new Mercedes-Benz relies on a lithium-ion battery pack to run the 20 HP motor as well as the rest of the cars electrical requirements.

Take a look at the new face of awesome. The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster brings us back to our horse and buggy roots, minus the smelly horses. With a joystick control, fiberglass body and nifty hydrogen-electric fuel-cell power, we can’t help but salivate over how freakin’ cool this thing looks.

The buggy has rid itself of conventional inventions like the steering wheel and instead, uses a joystick. But if you look past the giant, spoked wheels, the buggy contains all of Mercedes top-of-the-line technologies and boasts a carbon fiber and fiberglass body structure, a compact 1.2 kW fuel cell for power generation and – holy schmoly – a top speed of 16 mph. Whoa there, Tiger.

“This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.”

Although the 2009 Detroit Auto Show didn’t officially start until today, last night Mercedes-Benz showed of its new Concept BlueZero at an off-site reception. The BlueZero exemplifies both the electric and hybrid technology behind the next generation of Mercedes-Benz B-class vehicles as well as their slick new design.

The BlueZero is envisioned with three clean options with its modular powertrain system. Each option is designed for different range requirements. For short range the BlueZero E-cell uses a lithium ion battery pack that will afford the driver a 120-mile range per charge. The mid-range BlueZero F-cell uses a hydrogen fuel cell with a 240-mile range. The long-range E-cell Plus adds a 67 horsepower three-cylinder engine in the rear of the car where the spare tire would normally go. This hybrid form sees the battery cut in half and consequently the battery only range as well, but the total range for the E-Cell Plus is 360 miles.

Also at the off-site reception Mercedes announced a low-volume series production of the fuel cell B-Class in late 2009. This will be followed with a low volume series production of a battery electric vehicle in 2010.

If you’re interested, check out a few more pictures of this impressive electric vehicle.