LONDON — Smart has unveiled an electric version of its Fortwo city car, which will be supplied to corporate customers in the UK.
Up to 200 units will be delivered in a trial phase and Smart is aiming to work with green energy suppliers to deliver zero emissions throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. Deliveries will start in November.
The Smart uses a drivetrain developed by the Zytek Group. Tuned to deliver 92 pound-feet of torque and 40 horsepower, the electric motor is located under the trunk floor in the area normally reserved for the standard Smart's three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine.
The standard six-speed gearbox has been modified so that it offers just one ratio (equivalent to second). This is made possible by the electric motor's ability to deliver maximum torque through a large rev range of up to 12,000 rpm.
Power is provided by a liquid sodium nickel-chloride battery, mounted under the floor of the car. It provides a range of up to 72 miles when fully charged. To help optimize this range, the top speed of the car has been limited to 70 mph.
The car can be recharged using a conventional domestic-style power socket. In addition, some London councils are investing in recharging bays, which allow electric-car owners to park and recharge their cars in the city center. Westminster council (where the Houses of Parliament are located) is providing free parking for electric vehicles for the next five years. The Smart would also be exempt from the congestion charge paid by vehicles entering central London.
Smart in the U.K. is subsidising the plan and will charge testers $650 per month for each car. A central London estate agent has been among the first to sign up for the program, and each company must also agree to receive at least a percentage of their power from renewable sources. Smart will be undertaking 'a mix of projects' to ensure that the cars are carbon neutral from 'dust to dust.'
If the program proves successful, Smart has not ruled out selling the car to individual customers.
What this means to you: The electric vehicle is creeping back into favor. If it works in London, California could be next.
Up to 200 units will be delivered in a trial phase and Smart is aiming to work with green energy suppliers to deliver zero emissions throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. Deliveries will start in November.
The Smart uses a drivetrain developed by the Zytek Group. Tuned to deliver 92 pound-feet of torque and 40 horsepower, the electric motor is located under the trunk floor in the area normally reserved for the standard Smart's three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine.
The standard six-speed gearbox has been modified so that it offers just one ratio (equivalent to second). This is made possible by the electric motor's ability to deliver maximum torque through a large rev range of up to 12,000 rpm.
Power is provided by a liquid sodium nickel-chloride battery, mounted under the floor of the car. It provides a range of up to 72 miles when fully charged. To help optimize this range, the top speed of the car has been limited to 70 mph.
The car can be recharged using a conventional domestic-style power socket. In addition, some London councils are investing in recharging bays, which allow electric-car owners to park and recharge their cars in the city center. Westminster council (where the Houses of Parliament are located) is providing free parking for electric vehicles for the next five years. The Smart would also be exempt from the congestion charge paid by vehicles entering central London.
Smart in the U.K. is subsidising the plan and will charge testers $650 per month for each car. A central London estate agent has been among the first to sign up for the program, and each company must also agree to receive at least a percentage of their power from renewable sources. Smart will be undertaking 'a mix of projects' to ensure that the cars are carbon neutral from 'dust to dust.'
If the program proves successful, Smart has not ruled out selling the car to individual customers.
What this means to you: The electric vehicle is creeping back into favor. If it works in London, California could be next.
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