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Smart exploring opportunities for U.S. ForTwo EV trial

 
7 3,319 views Jan 13, 2009

The two companies look forward to more joint ventures, especially in the electric car field

The two companies look forward to more joint ventures, especially in the electric car field

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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.



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Comments (7)

  1. By chris Posted: 5/1/2008 11:39am PDT

    now THAT would be a truly SMART car. full electric would be the only reason I would ever consider one.
     
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  2. By Randy Posted: 5/1/2008 12:42pm PDT

    This will be a great reason to buy a SECOND smart for me.
     
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  3. By Roy Posted: 5/1/2008 3:44pm PDT

    I wanted to love the SMART car, but until they fix the %^&* door handles, sort out the A/C, the CD player, the seats, the glass roof (on the hardtop) and the gearstick (every other tiptronic transmission pulls back to move the gear up!!!), I will not put it on my list. This is a clear example of waiting for version 2.0.
     
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  4. By Gus Posted: 5/1/2008 5:21pm PDT

    In San Francisco, as a pure city runaround car, perfect.
    But I see them scooting around LA all the time now, weaving inbetween semi trucks and flying down the freeways at 70mph... Good luck, people...
     
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  5. By Caroll Posted: 9/10/2008 10:07pm PDT

    I have a Smart 4-2 now and someone complaining about the climinate control must not own one. The EV version would take care of my only problems with the car, rough shifting, so-so fuel economy and engine noise.
    As soon as I can I'll be putting my money down for the full electric.
     
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  6. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 12/3/2008 9:43am PST

    caroll,.. two people i know have them and i agree with their complaints.. the heat works fine... after you've driven for 20 minutes.. and the AC... well.. as my friend puts it "its like an arctic seal is farting on you"... hardly cold.. and between the loss in engine power and the inconsistent fan speed.. he just opts to roll down the windows and drive fast... cause they do scoot along pretty good...............

    but yeah the EV would definitely solve the shifting problems.. that is of course unless they put in a gear box.. EV's aren't necessarily a single speed people....
     
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  7. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 1/13/2009 3:39pm PST

    They should fix the car first, better transmission and suspension
     
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