Daimler AG plans to introduce its electric Smart for Two by the end of this year. Serial production of this model will only start in 2012 in the plant from Hambach, France. The most modern lithium-ion battery will be integrated into the Smart for Two and Daimler says that the first 1,000 units will be used as tests cars by customers from major cities in Europe and the U.S.
The first trial runs of the electric Smart for Two were made in UK in 2007. The results back then were very encouraging as the Electric Drive For Two, with a 30kW motor could get to a speed of approximately 30 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds and the autonomy was about 72 miles. The next generation of the Smart For Two Electric Drive will sustain the same tests in its qualification phase but it is expected to come with better performance, longer range and shorter time to charge the batteries. A full battery change takes about 8 hours if it is completely empty.
The market trial is made with some partners that include Urban Splash, Islington and Coventry Councils, Foster & Partners, CarbonNeutral Company, EDF Energy and Amey which all value green energy and reduction of pollution. The EV is expected to feature all gadgets and safety that Mercedes-Benz has at this moment, so there is no compromise when it comes to quality in the final product. Daimler AG has thought the entire vehicle green, as most of the cars components are recyclable.
“We’d like to introduce you to a car that’s designed to bring a breath of fresh air to the streets: the refreshingly new smart electric vehicle – or smart ed, as we call it. It’s the natural product of smart’s unswerving commitment to the environment and innovation – not to mention fun. It isn’t available to buy just yet, but it isn’t a million miles off.”
