Smart has released some technical details on a plug-in electric version of the tiny ForTwo. The car will use a 41hp electric motor driving the rear wheels just as the internal combustion version does. In an unusual choice for this diminutive machine, they have chosen to use a sodium-nickel-chloride (Zebra) battery. While these batteries have good capacity and are very stable, they operate at very high temperatures (250°C).
The electric Smart should be able to get to 37mph in 5.7s and max out at 70mph. A full charge should allow the driver to go about 72miles before plugging back in to a standard (in Europe) 230V outlet. Currently 100 examples of the electric Smart are being tested in Britain and no commercial plans have been confirmed. The Smart release is after the jump.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
The smart fortwo electric drive (ed)
The zero emission town and city car
It comes with everything that makes a smart a smart – but it doesn't have a combustion engine. A 30 kW/41 bhp magnetic motor runs at the rear of the smart fortwo electric drive that is driven by a high-performance, high-temperature battery made from environmentally compatible sodium-nickel-chloride. This is housed in the underbody, which means that the interior space is not compromised.
Boasting NEDC consumption of just 12 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometres and zero carbon dioxide emissions, the smart fortwo electric drive is the most economical and climate-friendly alternative in urban traffic. When charged, the 30 kW/41 bhp two-door car can travel around 115 kilometres (EUDC). When the battery is empty, it can be charged at any 230 volt power socket – at least 1000 times. The battery lasts for up to ten years. It takes four hours to charge it to 80 percent capacity and eight hours to charge it to full capacity.
The NEDC consumption costs stand at around just € 0.02 per kilometre, far below those of a combustion engine – despite offering almost the same performance. Acceleration from zero to 60 km/h is similar to that of the petrol variants and the car has a maximum speed of 112 km/h. Furthermore, as a zero emission car the smart fortwo electric drive enjoys tax advantages in many countries and is exempt from local restrictions such as the London congestion charge. This small electric car offers a combination of agility, economy and environmental compatibility that is unique in this class.
The most important technical data on the smart fortwo electric drive at a glance:
Rated output 30 kW/41 bhp
0-60 km/h 5.7 s
Maximum speed approx. 112 km/h
Range approx. 115 km
Consumption* 12 kWh/100 km
CO2 emissions 0 g/km
* NEDC
Further technical data
Power transmission
Transmission locked in second gear
Running gear
Front axle wishbone, McPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear axle DeDion axle tube with central mount, wishbone, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabiliser
Brake system hydraul. dual circuit system with vacuum booster, disc brakes at front, drum brakes at rear,
electronic stability programme ESP® (incl. ABS and brake-force distribution), brake assist
Steering rack-and-pinion steering, steering damper
Wheels front/rear 4 J x 15 – 5.5 J x 15
Tyres front/rear 145/65 R 15 – 175/55 R 15
Dimensions and weights
Wheelbase (mm) 1,812
Track width front (mm) 1,276
Track width rear (mm) 1,354
Length (mm) 2,500
Width (mm) 1,516
Height (mm) 1,549
Weight without driver (kg) approx. 854
1. Sounds good. Any idea what the price would be? It's similar range and speed to a Vectrix but with a roof, so it's got to be worth $20-25K today (with little competition). I would probably buy one if it was in that range.
Posted at 4:17PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Mike Weston