Dave Schembri blogs on the smart ED

[jwight]

From today's blog on smartusainsider.com:

So when is the smart fortwo electric drive coming to the USA? Well, no dates have been confirmed, but the smart fortwo electric drive is expected to arrive here during the second half of 2010. The vehicle will initially be offered in limited volume and in select markets, and series production of the smart fortwo electric drive will begin in 2012.

Another fun fact is that the smart fortwo electric drive series will be equipped with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery, which has decisive advantages over other types of batteries, including its compact dimensions, high performance, shorter charging times and higher reliability. You may also notice in the picture that there are virtually no external changes to the design of the smart fortwo electric drive. This is because the vehicle can be produced without the loss of passenger or cargo space. In essence, the drive motor replaces the engine and the battery fits in the space currently occupied by the fuel tank. Be sure to stay tuned for further information regarding price, technical specifications and availability for the smart fortwo electric drive.

[chieftmc]

Thanks for the update jwight

[Gortok]

FINALLY, THERE'S LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!

(I always wanted to YELL something on here...)

[2micro4u]

Oooooohhhh...this is good news..yes good news in deed.

[Padawan]

What about the microhybrid? I'd be much more interested in that, and hopefully we won't miss out on it here in the US.

[jwight]

Here's a look inside the smart ED, as posted on smartusainsider.com:

[HGB]

Am I being a big baby if I asked for heat in winter with needed defrosting and defogging and A/C for the hot summer months?

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by HGB

Am I being a big baby if I asked for heat in winter with needed defrosting and defogging and A/C for the hot summer months?

Electric may not be the best choice in some climates for exactly those reasons, but here in parts of California it's got real possibilities. What kind of range will it get on an overnight charge I wonder?

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

What kind of range will it get on an overnight charge I wonder?

The smart site states 72 miles per 8 hour charge, or 100 miles with a "top-up charge" during the day. Of course, this is for the European version, which also has a top speed of 60 MPH.

[Macaw]

Am I the only one who thinks it's sad that a poor smart might need Viagra for it's ED problem?