Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART
Smart ED test is in full swing in Islington, UK
click to enlarge
We're already jealous of people who get to test drive the all-electric smart ed, but what about people who get to drive them day after day? Daimler released photos today (see gallery below) of just such a test fleet in Islington, UK. The test of the diminutive two-seaters is being conducted by partners Urban Splash, Islington and Coventry Councils, Foster & Partners, CarbonNeutral Company, EDF Energy and Amey, according to BenzInsider.
If you're curious why we like the smart ed so much, check out Daimler's own description of the ride, which reminds us that these cars can go over 70 miles between full, eight-hour charges and get 300 mpge. Thanks to the UK's increasing availability of public EV charging stations, Daimler says that the smart ed's daily operational range in the London area is around 100 miles. Yeah, we're jealous.
Gallery: Smart ED
[Source: BenzInsider, Daimler]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ada 7:04AM (9/03/2008)
Check this out:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D92UDIJ80.htm?chan=autos_autos+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_top+stories
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Serge 9:35AM (9/03/2008)
I wonder why they don't employ high-current charging like Tesla Roadster does. 70A's could cut that 8-hour charge significantly.
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Andy 10:52AM (9/03/2008)
Don't look much further than this for [more] sustainable personal mobility solutions.
Although this is lower down the sustainable hierachy than bicycles and buses. It would meet (I'm guessing) 60% of the needs of current light vehicle owners in the developed world.
With a smart for four option and light delivery vehicle option, maybe 80% of the driving needs could be met just with this platform.
I'm not thinking about peoples wants, that changes the picture
completely.
Sigh...we have most of the technical solutions already. I look forward to mass production and mass marketing of this little fellah.
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