Field testing of electric Smart ForTwo to start in London mid-December
In mid-December Daimler AG will start turning over about 100 battery-powered Smart ForTwos to customers in Central London for a large-scale field test. The cars will be leased mainly to fleets, including the London police, for a four-year trial that will eventually also include two other European cities. The first batch of cars will be equipped with a nickel metal hydride battery packs that should give a range of about 65 miles from a three and a half hour charge. London was chosen for the first trial because they already have a network of free public charging stations. If the test goes well, Daimler plans to launch the electric Smart commercially as soon as 2010.
[Source: Financial Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
susan.kraemer 2:15PM (11/25/2007)
I've had it. I am moving to Europe.
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rgseidl 3:22PM (11/25/2007)
I expect London's finest will appreciate the smooth, quiet operation of these vehicles on regular patrol duty incl. especially, enforcing traffic laws. However, total daily range may be an issue because recharging takes so long. Switching to modern Li-ion chemistries would address that problem, perhaps Daimler will do so part-way through the trial. Four years is a long time, after all.
That said, in a highly congested city such as London, police might actually arrive on scene faster if the batteries were applied to smaller two- or three-wheeled vehicles instead. Unfortunately, safety concerns, the wet climate and the as-yet immature state of the technology make that unlikely for now.
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mike 7:14AM (11/26/2007)
"as soon as 2010", that soon! I can't wait, no, really, I Can't Wait!
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malcolm 10:39AM (11/26/2007)
Another round of testing???
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/07/18/zytek-drivetrain-will-power-the-new-smart-ev/
Hurry up and sell the things, already!
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GoodCheer 11:12AM (11/26/2007)
What's the relationship between Daimler's development efforts and those of Hybrid Technologies, who are promoting a LiI battery BEV Smart. They have similar specs, but there is no mention of an association other than Daimler providing rolling chassis to HT.
Anyone out there have the scoop?
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AlienFarmer 1:37AM (11/27/2007)
They better not try and say there's no market for them after the field tests...like the EV1's here in America.
AlienFarmer
http://www.SolarCoupons.com
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Daniel Diaz 2:40PM (11/27/2007)
This truly is exciting! I want to move to Europe now too!
GoingGreenNow
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James 9:49PM (11/27/2007)
I saw one of these in America, Marietta GA to be precise, about a week ago. It looked quite good. It made me want one.
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