Smart released a diesel engine back at the end of 1999 that was soon to evolve into the most successful three-liter engine. To date, this engine has been fitted in over 150,000 cars – several times the figures attained by competitors with similar models.

The secret behind the success of the Smart Fortwo CDI is the way in which it outrivals in expressions of both green politics and savings. In other words, its purchase price represents that cutting fuel costs does not entail a costly investment up-front.

The Smart CDI diesel engine remains the best alternative in economic terms.

The frugal smart was competing in the Greenfleet class of this year's World Solar Challenge which ran over eight days.

The objective was to put the latest 'green' and low emission production vehicles through their paces and show that vehicles that reduce environmental impact can also be practical.

After covering a total of 2,379 miles, the Smart Fortwo CDI diesel had used just 33 gallons of fuel, making it the most fuel-efficient of the twelve entrants in the Greenfleet class.

Others have already attempted to exploit the Smart ForTwo as a totally electric car.

A company called eMotion Mobility LLC, DaimlerChrysler Corp., smart, and the state of Georgia have tried to do a similar project.

They must have planned to stick around, since one of the first things it did was contribute $5,000 to Mark Taylor's campaign for lieutenant governor of Georgia.

The Panoz group had tons of cash, brainpower, and collaborators. It had the backing of DaimlerChrysler Corp., smart and the state of Georgia.

It planned to import smart car gliders to the States, and it did. It claimed to have the capacity to produce more than 6,000 vehicles annually. It was going to import 1,500 cars the first year with DaimlerChrysler’s blessings.

In 2003, eMotion Mobility LLC, DaimlerChrysler Corp., smart and the state of Georgia failed dreadfully at their venture, closed down operations and moved on to greener pastures. They only imported 30 smart units. And none of their cars ever got to the market place.

Axis Group, Inc. of Decatur, Georgia, the shipper of the smart cars did not get paid and had to place liens on the cars to recoup some of its money.

We attempted on many occasions to speak with eMotion Mobility and the Panoz Motor Sports group regarding this project, to no avail.

For the past few years we have been aware of a Mr. Ivan Workman. A well know pioneer in the electric car field.

He owns Riker Electric Vehicles Corporation. A leading company that designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and sells electric vehicles.

Mr. Workman also had planned, with the help of Zytek a leader in automotive control systems, power train management and hybrid-electric vehicles, to converting a small amount of smart glider models into a (EV) electric smart car.

We spoke about his smart electric vehicle (EV) car project and how it was progressing. Mr. Workman was very informative and told me his smart project was on hold. I asked him why. He said the project was in limbo having something to do with Zap, Mercedes Benz and recent news. He also told me he was working on another intelligent car project.