A rechargeable version of the quirky Smart car has made it's debut in
the UK with full scale production planned for 2012.
Unlike the current breed of hybrid and forthcoming plug-in hybrid
vehicles, the electric Smart does not have a regular engine, relying
entirely on electricity for propulsion. It can be recharged at home
overnight in about five hours.
There are currently 100s of the electric Smarts being leased in
throughout Europe as part of an evaluation and development program. Each
has a 30kW electric motor capable of propelling the diminutive
two-seater to 120km/h and as far as 135 kilometres.
Smart
Name
Smart Electric Drive (Smart Ed)
Manufacturer
Smart
Year Announced
2007
Year Released
2007
Mass Production
1000 unit trial (see notes)
Release Price
Leased initially
Seating
2
Acceleration 0-60
0-to-60 km/hr (37 mph) time of 6.5 seconds
Top Speed
120 Km per hour (75 miles per hour)
Range
135 Km (84 miles)
Power
20 kW (27 hp) continuous; peak power output of 30 kW
(40 hp) for approximately 2 minutes
Torque
120 Nm (89 ft·lbf)
Motor Type
Battery Type
16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery
Battery Capacity
36kWh
Battery Life
Standard Charge Time
8 hours for a full charge.
Quick Charge Time
Hybrid
100% Electric
Weight
Climate Control
Notes
As part of a three phase roll-out program, phase two
began with field testing in Berlin in December 2009 with 100 units out
of 300 that will be deploy in Germany. For phase two 1,500 cars will be
produced and field testing is scheduled to be conducted in Hamburg,
Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa, London and the Midlands, Madrid, Zurich,
Portugal, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium and the
Netherlands during the first half of 2010. In October 2010, 250 units
will be available for field testing in several cities in the U.S.;
testing will also be conducted in Canada; and in 2011 in selected
markets in Asia.
