Production of the smart fortwo electric drive Hambach, France, Begins now Options

[smart142]

Berlin’s EV Charging Stations Get Smart

By Keith Barry December 23, 2009

German drivers have begun pilot testing a new intelligent charging infrastructure that allows electric car owners to take their home utility bill with them while charging on the go.

E-mobility Berlin, a joint venture between utility company RWE and Daimler, has installed 500 “intelligent charging stations” across Germany’s largest city. The charging infrastructure is coupled with a fleet of electric Smart ForTwos that can communicate with the intelligent stations. The arrangement will allow drivers to add the cost of an electric charge to their existing utility bill — a tool that’s especially valuable for fleet customers.

In addition to simplifying payment, customers can use the intelligent charging stations to instantly monitor electric rates, battery status and even interior temperature using an iPhone or computer. Drivers have the flexibility to charge their cars in off-peak times when rates are lower, or even remotely turn on the air conditioning or heat.


In the biggest test of the new setup since it was announced last September, Daimler handed over intelligent charging-equipped electric Smart ForTwos to selected fleet, business and private customers last week. The drivers get 18 months worth of free electricity for charging, during which time the folks at E-mobility will monitor how well the system works.

According to RWE CEO Dr. Jürgen Großmann, all 500 charging stations get power from renewable energy. “We are setting up a comprehensive system with an intelligent and user-friendly charging infrastructure that is suitable for quick everyday charging at home, work and in public areas,” Großmann said in a statement. “Our technology is already creating the basis for even more climate protection in future, especially the more efficient use of renewable energies.”

While the first participants get to drive the all-new electric ForTwo, with a 71 mile range and 0-37 mph time of 6.3 seconds, Daimler will also test the technology on the new A-class E-Cell when it debuts later in 2010. RWE says they plan to add new charging stations to private homes, parking structures and businesses, with complete charging infrastructures debuting in other major German cities by the end of 2010.

Photo: Daimler. L to R: Dr. Jürgen Großmann, CEO of RWE; Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler and Rainer Brüderle, German Minister for Economics and Technology show off an electric Smart ForTwo connected to one of RWE’s intelligent charging stations.
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[smrtie]

Hi All,

Long time no write.

I have been in talks with MB Canada to lease one of the 45 ED's coming to Canada.

Don't know any more than what's already published.

I'll update from time to time as I get more info.

Pedro

[smart142]

Welcome back! Weren't you the first smartie to remove the front panels???

Good luck with the purchase of the ED

[Mike T]

Cool, you will have to bring it to a club event Pedro! Assuming you get one. I thought the lease rates in Europe are fantastically expensive but maybe this won't be the case for Canada.

[smrtie]

Weren't you the first smartie to remove the front panels???

Yup, that's me. Did it while the wife was out shopping. Ever since then she's been keeping an eye on me and keeping her shopping trips short (which is a good thing). I was also the first to document the install of the clock and tach cluster too (in Canada anyway).

I thought the lease rates in Europe are fantastically expensive but maybe this won't be the case for Canada.

Very true. One story has the German lease rate for an ED at 800 Euros a month. With exchange, that's around $1,100 a month plus tax. For that money I could be driving an E-Class with Bluetec.

I'll take a pass if it's that high.

Little bit of new info.... Although I doubt the ED will look like the neon green Brabus equipped machine at one show, many people have assume the ED's will all have white panels and green tridion and wheels (as seen on the UK site). That may not be true.

I asked if I could pick the colour and MB replied that they didn't know at this point. Can it be that the 45 cars can all look different? Only time will tell.

Cheers,

pedro

[smart142]

Katherine Tweed: June 9, 2010

Taking the Smart Fortwo Electric Car For a Test Drive

This eco-chic city car ups the ante for those looking to make a statement around town.


I was feeling good as a truck cab packed with construction workers were genuinely excited as I pulled along side them at a red light. One guy gave me a thumbs up, another asked how much my ride retailed for. Then, two lights up the road, the reaction to my smart fortwo electric drive car was slightly more critical.

"Hey guys, look at that funny little car," a father shouted to his two small boys as he pointed at my tiny white and green convertible. I suspect smart cars get that a lot: A mix of wonder, excitement and ridicule. Dropping in an electric motor is likely to only increase all of those reactions.

Smart USA, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, will roll out 250 EVs in the U.S. beginning in October. That's small potatoes compared to what the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf plan to produce later this year, but Smart is happy being niche.

"This is a car grounded in sustainability," said Jill Lajdziak, president of smart USA, referring to the gas-powered smart automobile. "The electric car just expands on that."

The smartfortwo electric drive has a 30 kW electric motor in the rear of the call and can accelerate as fast as its gas cousin, about 0 to 40 mph in 6.5 seconds.

The car holds a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion Tesla Motors battery, although Mark Langenbrinck, managing director for smart, said that cars for larger-scale consumer production in 2012 will have a different battery.

The car will have a range of about 82 miles on a full battery at average city speeds, or four to five hours. It can charge at a standard 110 volts, but like other electric vehicles, 220-volt charging is recommended. It takes 8 hours to get a full charge, but Langenbrinck said it could go from about 20 to 80 percent in about 2.5 at 220 volts.

The car will be released in five regions this year: Portland, OR; San Jose, CA; Orlando, Fla.; Indianapolis, IN. and the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The car, which will only be available on lease for $599 per month for 48 months, will mostly go to corporations while 20 percent will go to individuals, who can sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis on smart's web site.

And if you're one of those eco-trendy individuals (I'm looking at you Leonardo DiCaprio), don't think you'll cash in on the $7,500 government tax credits. Because the car is leased, that discount has already been worked into the lease price, Langenbrinck said.

So, how did it drive? The automated manual transmission felt smooth around the streets of Brooklyn. Earlier models of the gas-powered transmission got some complaints of jerkiness between first and second gear, which engineers went back to correct -- and I didn't feel it at all.

It's the same size as the regular smart car so it's, well, small. It was zippy and fun on city streets, and if you were to get one of the 50 or so cars slated to go to consumers, you'd definitely be the quietest vehicle in traffic (so quiet that even with the radio on, you can still hear everyone's comments as they point at you). However, for those who want an electric vehicle to take out on the open road, be warned the smart fortwo EV tops out at about 100 kph, or 60 mph.

Smart, like other electric vehicle manufacturers, is still working through how to help customers manage the permitting process to get 220 volt charging in their garages. "Permitting is one of the most complicated, yet one of the most mundane issues," said Langenbrinck. It is also one of the partners with Coloumb Technologies, so customers who live in select cities could get a free charging station thanks to a DOE grant.

If you're itching for a tiny electric car and you're outside one of the first few cities, fear not, phase three volume production will start begin in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

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[John & Angela]

Looking forward to a test drive. Re the 100 KM speed limitation. Even when the speed limit is 110 I rarely go over 100. You get used to people passing you. Can't say I have ever caused an accident by being under the limit a bit. If people have difficulty with it they can always go to driving school to improve their skills. Il be the one over in the right hand lane chortling along at between 90 and 100.

I wonder if the governor will keep it under 100 going downhill or will it just cut out the drive and let it coast faster.

[PrairieBoy]

The reason the electric smart's' transmision shifted smooth' is because it DOESN'T shift.
It's locked in second gear and has only one speed: 0 to top-speed in one gear.

[SameGuy]

I was waiting to see if someone here would mention that small tidbit!

So how come we haven't seen $599 a month mentioned anywhere else?

[PrairieBoy]

$599.00 per month is a bit steep,but it might be O.K. to be one of the first to own (lease) an electric car.

After all you don't have to buy ANY gas.

It doesn't seem so expensive now!

[John & Angela]

$599.00 per month is a bit steep,but it might be O.K. to be one of the first to own (lease) an electric car.

After all you don't have to buy ANY gas.

It doesn't seem so expensive now!

No air filters, fuel filters, fuel, oil etc etc etc. I would buy (depending on price) but not lease one.

[Mike T]

That will make it about 800/mo in Canada.

[smart142]

Autoblog green

250 Smart EDs coming to U.S. this fall with $599/month leases attached

by Sebastian Blanco on Jun 10th 2010 at 3:50PM

This is a post about the numbers. Here are three important figures about the second-gen all-electric Smart ED that was on display in New York City yesterday:

250 units are coming to the U.S. starting in October 2010
Leases will be $599 a month for 48 months (plus $2,500 due at signing, for a total of $31,252 before taxes or any potential governmental rebates), and Daimler takes the cars back at the end of the four years.
The car has a top speed of just 62.5 miles per hour.
These numbers are all huge hurdles to overcome on the road to electric vehicle (EV) acceptance if Daimler were trying to make a big splash with the Smart ED. Its not; that comes later, in January 2012, when the production models arrive. These first 250 vehicles make up a focused, limited test program that gives Daimlers a chance to learn about EVs in America. Find out everything you need to know about the program after the jump.

Smart USA debuted the second-gen Smart ED (Electric Drive) in Brooklyn this week because it considers urban environments to be the car's "natural habitat." Long time readers will know that Daimler has been testing electric versions of the Fortwo in Europe for a few years (and that we got a sneak peek of the second-gen Smart ED in Las Vegas a few weeks ago) and that the cautious testing period is now, finally, expanding to North America. Globally, Daimler will make and test 1,500 second-gen Smart ED units. Originally, the company was going to make just 1,000 at Hambach, but discovered demand was quite high for a battery-powered Smart car. Maybe that's because people just expect this car to be electric. Smart USA president Jill Lajdziak told us that she's been asked if her Fortwo is an electric car when she was literally at the gas station pumping fuel into it. The Fortwo in the U.S. wasn't electric before – now it is.

Before we get into the weeds about the program, here are some more Smart ED numbers from the briefing:

20 kW constant/30 kW peak power motor
88.5 ft lbs single fixed gear ration transmission
0-60 kph in 6.5 seconds
16.5 kWh li-ion battery
308 lbs heavier than the gas model (car goes from about 1,800 pounds to around 2,100)
3.3 kW onboard charger
83 mile range (Daimler's "conservative estimate")
4-5 hours of travel at typical city speeds
.2 kWh/mile efficiency
Has Level 1 and 2 charging, with Level 2 (220V) charging being the "sweet spot" that takes 3.5 hours to go from a 20 percent full battery to 80 percent full. The car charges from 0 to 100 percent full in about eight hours.
The lessee breakdown will see 80 percent of the 250 vehicles going to corporate entities (and some municipalities), with just 20 percent – so, only around 50 units – leased by individuals. First come, first serve.
We talked with Smart USA vice president Derek Kaufman and Smart ED product manager Pitt Moos, about the Smart EDs in America and how they might be received. While Kaufman said, "We think we've positioned a car here that's perfect for urban transport," the truth is that this car is going to be a hard sell. Just look at those first three numbers at the top of the post again: $599 a month for a car that only goes 63 mph (by comparison, Smart USA's lease for a standard gasoline-powered Fortwo costs just $169 a month)? Also, the lease limit is just 10,000 miles a year. Without a doubt, this is not the car that will change the general public's impression of electric vehicles in the U.S. forever. Both Kaufman and Moos said, though, that the Smart ED has the right stuff.

Moos has been watching the Smart ED testing (first and second generation) in Europe, and said that once people actually drive the car, their mindset about what a car needs to do changes. "We don't have to teach them," he said. "They learn." Kaufman said that he hasn't had any complaints from customers yet about the 62.5 mph speed limit, which is also in place on the first-gen models, but that's one of the the things this U.S. trial is all about. "If we get a huge push-back on this, changing it may be something we discuss."

The problem with the top speed, though, is that even though it is electronically limited, it's not just a matter of changing a line of code to increase it. Moos explained that the 30 kW peak motor power, which is required to get the car going faster, can only be called up for about two minutes. So, should Daimler and Smart USA want to up it, it could be difficult and may require a different motor.

As for the monthly cost of the lease – which gets kind of close to double what the Nissan Leaf will be ($349/month for three years) but is less than what the Mini E cost in its first year ($850 then, $600 now) – Kaufman said that money "covers the cost of the cars." This does not include the R&D costs that have gone into the program over the years, just what is required to actually produce this subset vehicles, he said. Moos said it was a reasonable amount, because, "Anyone who tells you they're making money on electric cars is lying. It's simply not possible now."

In its European testing, Daimler has seen the typical Smart ED drivers only needing to recharge once or twice a week. In the U.S., Smart USA will be introducing the car into five key launch areas: Portland, San Jose, Orlando (where there will be an EV corridor built soon), Indianapolis (where a lot of commuters from outside 465 drive around 20 miles each way to go to work downtown. Kaufmann said there are around 20 cities in the U.S. that have a similar setup in the U.S.) and the I-95 corridor around Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. Some of the cars will also go to Austin, Detroit and Los Angeles. Smart will also follow Coulomb Technologies to the nine areas of the country where the DOE gave them money to install chargers. Smart USA hasn't negotiated any sort of special electricity rates for Smart ED drivers with the utilities it is working with in these areas, but it has discussed ways to incentivize electric vehicle purchases in the areas where the cars will be available.

These test areas will lay the carpet for the production Smart EDs to show up in January 2012, and who knows what those vehicles will cost or be able to do. We certainly expect changes of some sort. Right now, the Smart ED doesn't make the most sense from a purely numerical point of view. But that's not what Smart USA is counting on. No, the brand is working the lifestyle angle, a message Lajdziak explained earlier this year. Kaufman said that people who are interested in the Fortwo – no matter what powertrain it has – aren't usually interested in shopping different brands. People love this car for what it is, and Smart USA is confident there will be plenty of them willing to make the jump from gas to electrons once the first vehicles in the test batch arrive in about four months. Are you one of them?

The other bit of news from Brooklyn was the announcement of the $10 Smart ED iPhone app. We'll have posts up about that and what it's like to drive the Smart ED shortly.
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PRESS RELEASE

smart fortwo electric drive

The smart with electric drive is coming to the USA

New York – Following the successful launch in European cities the new smart fortwo electric drive will take to the roads of North American cities from the autumn. The electrically powered trendsetter has been rolling off the production line since November 2009 – and due to the huge demand the initial production volume has been increased from 1000 to 1500 vehicles. The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is neatly accommodated between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for very good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available. The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. The fully charged battery has sufficient power to cover approximately 135 kilometres in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle, making it ideal for urban use. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for mobility with zero local emissions in urban areas.

The first of the new smart fortwo electric drive vehicles were handed over to customers in Berlin at the end of 2009, and the environmentally friendly pioneer will now demonstrate its suitability for everyday use in further cities in Europe, North America and Asia. From 2012 the smart fortwo electric drive will be available to anyone interested in almost 40 smart markets.

Marc Langenbrinck, responsible for brand management at smart says "In 1998 smart revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle concept. Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and redefining zero-emission urban mobility. We are the first manufacturer to launch a series-produced electric vehicle. Daimler is spearheading electric mobility with the smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption anyway."

Environmental friendliness and state-of-the-art functionality have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and it brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful, modern and yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive, which started rolling off the production line in November 2009, is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation there. The feedback from the UK capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including better performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability.

Marc Langenbrinck says "The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with no compromises."

Electric drive factored in from the very first concept

The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety, agility, comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models. The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.

Powerful drive

A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 - 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial said "You can beat anything at the lights". The maximum speed of the smart fortwo electric drive has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable maximum speed for the city.

Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is required. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine's direction of rotation changes. "Fantastic and easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go" was how experienced users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.

The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery developed by Tesla Motors Inc. with electrical energy of 16.5 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket. A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 - 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. At an average speed of 25 - 30 km/h that is normal in city traffic the smart fortwo electric drive can drive for around four to five hours continuously before it needs to be recharged. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.

Electronics optimise the battery status and power consumption

Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. This battery management system constantly monitors voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving up long hills at constant peak power (kickdown) – the electronics reduce the power output. However, this is barely noticeable and it rules out the risk of battery overload.

The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacity display. The vehicle's power electronics supply the vehicle's electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain

on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.

Extensive equipment

The new second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with high quality equipment. As well as air conditioning with automatic temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includes smart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy. Furthermore, all new second generation smart fortwo electric drives have green painted alloy wheels, green mirror caps, green contrast components and a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil. The words "electric drive" on the rear and in the mirror triangle also draw attention to the vehicle's special status.

Very low costs

There are also numerous factors in different countries that make electric mobility attractive for customers. Tax relief and other government subsidies play an important role. For example, the state of Monaco offers tax relief of
up to €9,000 to electric car owners. Other countries have also set up funding programmes for sustainable mobility. France grants a "super environment incentive" of €5000 for every vehicle emitting less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In Great Britain there is a bonus of up to ₤5000 and in Belgium of €4540. In Denmark such cars are exempt from the extremely high registration tax and there are lots of further examples in Europe. In the USA there is a federal tax benefit of up to $7500 plus additional benefits depending on the state or city. China and Japan have announced subsidies of €6,500 and €11,000 respectively.

The maintenance costs are considerably lower than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor and other components of the electric drive are maintenance-free.

smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA

Since the end of 2009 the second generation smart fortwo electric drive has been delivered to selected customers. Leases are offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles were handed over to customers in December within the framework of the "e-mobility Berlin" project. Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin, Daimler is creating ideal conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions. This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest. But as mentioned, the smart fortwo electric drive can also be charged at any household safety socket with a 16 amp fuse (standard in Germany and other countries).

Further new generation smart fortwo electric drive vehicles will take to the roads of 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 the autumn of 2010 the smart fortwo electric drive will then also be launched in cities in the USA and Canada, and from 2011 in some Asian countries. There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This third generation will be fitted with a new lithium-ion battery which Daimler is developing to production maturity in cooperation with Evonik. The lithium-ion battery currently used comes from Tesla and represents state-of-the-art technology. However, further progress is anticipated. The main differences between the two batteries lie in the structural design. The Tesla battery consists of lots of cylinder-shaped cells. The Daimler battery will be made up of fewer but larger plate units. This will first and foremost enable a greater energy density to be achieved (with greater energy content for a higher range) and an even longer life.

With the smart fortwo electric drive the brand is underlining its pioneering role on the road to attractive individual mobility with no local emissions in cities and urban areas. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars says "All in all we believe that the outlook for electric mobility is good. Whilst our competitors are still presenting electric show cars, smart brought production models that are fully suitable for everyday use to the roads last year. This once again demonstrates our technical expertise and responsibility."
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[John & Angela]

At about 800 per month Canadian and even that just a lease, I doubt it will ever happen for us but we can keep dreaming I suppose. Thanks to all the posters who keep posting info on this great little but probably unatainable little car.

[Duck]

Leases will be $599 a month for 48 months (plus $2,500 due at signing, for a total of $31,252 before taxes or any potential governmental rebates), and Daimler takes the cars back at the end of the four years.

Fail.

-Iain

[Mike T]

Even at $599 US it is a weak offer as Duck notes in his laconic fashion. They will be eaten alive; it is a 2 seater after all, which puts the car behind the 8-ball to begin with. Factor in the CDN surcharge and it will be an E-Class AMG substitute in terms of cost.

[SameGuy]

Again, we are only speculating, and doing so on a tester batch of just (supposedly) 45 EDs to be run in Canada before Phase 3 series production begins. There is a lot of jumping the gun on "fail" pronouncements here. The MINI E test batch was snapped up at $800 a month each, as was the Rav4 EV before it at closer to $1000 a month.

When the final pricing is announced for the 2012 ED is when I'll decide if it's not right for me. Chances are that many -- if not all -- BEVs will have some form of battery subscription plan to give value to the EV's purchase. In other words, the ED cabrio might be priced at, say, $19K, with a battery lease of $120 a month.

[smart142]

The Electric Smart: A Car That Seems to Demand Batteries

By JIM MOTAVALLI (The New York Times)

The battery-powered Smart car is based on the 1-liter, 3-cylinder gas version introduced to the United States in 2008, but it sure doesn’t drive like one.

It drives better.
Some battery conversions suffer in comparison to their internal-combustion siblings. But the electric Smart, during a short ride in rainy Brooklyn, seemed to offer superior acceleration and braking compared with its tailpipe-equipped brethren.

With a 30-kilowatt peak-power motor and a 16.5 kilowatt-hour battery pack sourced from Tesla Motors, the electric Smart can reach about 38 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds. It has a cruising range of 83 miles. A charge from 20 to 80 percent capacity (which some people will experience in real-world conditions) takes 3.5 hours, and a full 100 percent charge from zero is less than eight hours (with a 220-volt outlet).

With narrow streets, tight corners and rough pavement, Brooklyn was a good proving ground for the battery Smart. The car has responsive steering and a tight turning circle, which helps fulfill its duty as a city vehicle.

Electric vehicles benefit from great torque availability at low speeds, but the Smart doesn’t leap forward. Instead, power builds slowly but surely, a somewhat welcome contrast to the lag-prone gas version. As in the gas car, there’s plenty of brake pedal travel, but also reassuring stopping power. The Smart cabin is very quiet, with no audible squeaks or rattles.

In October, Smart USA will begin deployment of 250 electric Smart cars in a pilot program that will be aimed at corporate users, governments, nonprofit groups and individuals (the latter perhaps 20 percent of the total). The electric Smarts, based on the Fortwo, will be available for a four-year lease at $599 a month. The first markets will be Portland, Ore.; San Jose and Los Angeles, Calif.; Indianapolis; Austin, Tex. (home to Daimler’s Car2go car-sharing program); Detroit; and the I-95 corridor between Washington and Boston. That includes New York City, of course.

On Wednesday, Smart had a Coulomb charging station set up on the sidewalk.

According to Derek Kaufman, Smart USA’s vice president of business development: “It was natural for us to move to electric drive. Some people already assume that because of the car’s looks it was already electric. We intend to come in with low volume and grow from there.”

The electric Smart, with some changes from the pilot version, will go into series production in the 2012 model year.

A total of 1,500 preproduction electric Smarts are being built for Europe, the United States and Canada, and the first deliveries in Germany began late last year. According to Pitt Moos, product manager for the electric drive Smart, more than 300 cars will go to Germany, 200 to France and 100 to Italy. An earlier pilot program introduced in 2007 put 100 electric Smarts in London. According to Mr. Moos, drivers in that program expressed early trepidation about the car’s range, but that evaporated after they’d spent time behind the wheel.

The electric Smart is also part of a program with General Motors and Ford that (with $15 million from the Energy Department) will put 4,600 Coulomb cost-free chargers in nine regions around the United States that are roughly analogous to those that will be part of the Smart pilot. According to Mr. Kaufman, the intent is to concentrate the cars in areas that have shown some interest in E.V.’s. “We didn’t want to just have one car in Austin, one in Boise and one in Birmingham,” he said.

Smart seems to be looking for some youth appeal in its plug-in car. The electric Smart features an application for the iPhone (variations for the Blackberry and other units are coming) that will, among other things, inform the driver of the car’s state of charge and locate it when it’s lost in a parking lot. It also has navigation features. When plugged into an iPhone cradle, it also plays the phone’s music collection through the car’s stereo.
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[Duck]

Again, we are only speculating, and doing so on a tester batch of just (supposedly) 45 EDs to be run in Canada before Phase 3 series production begins. There is a lot of jumping the gun on "fail" pronouncements here. The MINI E test batch was snapped up at $800 a month each, as was the Rav4 EV before it at closer to $1000 a month.

How am I even remotely jumping the gun? The exact terms are outlined specifically in Glenn's post. It's a total ripoff.

-Iain

[SameGuy]

First: we haven't seen any confirmation of anything from MB Canada about the Canadian test fleet. Second: assuming the terms are similar for our test fleet as the American test fleet, these are the terms for the TEST FLEET.

We have no clue what the car will sell or lease for once it is in full, "phase 3" series production starting in 2012.