Smart EV Info

[RLove]

I just noticed this article on Motoring Authority. There may another Smart in my future yet:

Smart exploring opportunities for U.S. ForTwo EV trial - [Smart ForTwo Electric Drive] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

[chieftmc]

Oh yea baby! I'll HAVE to make another reservation

[forestacademy]

Sweet. I would expect most of them to sell in Ca

[Orphan-Beggar]

In July last year Smart unveiled three new concept versions of its second-generation ForTwo minicar, all based around an ultra-efficient electric drivetrain. The trio included a regular petrol-electric hybrid, a diesel-electric hybrid and a zero-emissions electric vehicle. This third concept, the all-electric ForTwo, featured a 40hp (30kW) motor powered by a sodium-nickel-chloride battery and could drive up to 71mi (115km) on a single charge.

At this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Smart displayed its next-generation prototype ForTwo electric vehicle (EV) and also confirmed that production of the vehicle would start at the end of the year. While no market launches have been announced yet, Smart confirmed that it was exploring opportunities for the United States.

The new design features a lithium-ion battery that was jointly developed with Germany’s Evonik Industries. Consuming just 12kw-hours per 100km, the average cost of running the car is around two and a half cents per mile and it takes just 5.7 seconds to accelerate from rest to a reasonable driving pace of 60km/h.

Testing of a similar vehicle has already started in Italy, and has involved the installation of hundreds of power stations at test locations, and since 2007 Smart has been conducting official tests of the electric ForTwo in the UK. The company leased 100 electric ForTwos of the former series to gain real world experience and determine the technology’s long-term sustainability

[babybenz]

I hope they can make them go more than 71 miles on a charge.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by babybenz

I hope they can make them go more than 71 miles on a charge.

Plenty for ME

My commute is 28 miles round trip

[John_H]

If the car is designed for recharge at home, 71 miles is more than enough for most people except for trips out of town. There are, however, those who live 40 miles from their place of work (which may not have the ability to recharge) and others who spend most of their day in their car. But for me - it's plenty!

If a recharging station was the only way to recharge the EV Smart, however, the 71 miles would be a nuisance.

[wrumbarger]

When I first heard about the smart EV (June 2008) I sent smartusa a cashier's check for $99 asking to be placed on the waiting list.
They never cashed the check, and sent it back to me in November.
Now, I am going to send them another check. If they get enough people asking for it, they should get the idea that there is a market and start selling them?

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by wrumbarger

When I first heard about the smart EV (June 2008) I sent smartusa a cashier's check for $99 asking to be placed on the waiting list.
They never cashed the check, and sent it back to me in November.
Now, I am going to send them another check. If they get enough people asking for it, they should get the idea that there is a market and start selling them?

Now that's an innovative idea !

I may have to join you

[Dave777]

Tesla will manufacture the batteries.

AUTOSHOW-UPDATE 1-Tesla to supply battery for electric Smart | Industries | Consumer Goods & Retail | Reuters