In July last year Smart unveiled three new concept versions of its second-generation ForTwo minicar, all based around an ultra-efficient electric drivetrain. The trio included a regular petrol-electric hybrid, a diesel-electric hybrid and a zero-emissions electric vehicle.
This third concept, the all-electric ForTwo, featured a 40hp (30kW) motor powered by a sodium-nickel-chloride battery and could drive up to 71mi (115km) on a single charge. Testing of a similar vehicle, set to begin in the U.S. and Europe next year, will involve the installation hundreds of power stations at test locations, with Italian firm Enel building 400 for one test location, reports Auto Motor & Sport.
The power stations will be constructed in huge numbers in all of the major test sites - Berlin alone will get 500 of the stations by the end of 2009. The widespread availability of the electrical grid and the relatively small footprint of the 'pumps' where the cars interface with the electrical charging cord make such rapid and numerous expansions possible.
Since early 2008, Smart has been conducting official tests of the electric ForTwo in the UK, and the car will be headed to California and will commence U.S. testing next year. Initial U.S. testing will involve about 100 of the cars.
The U.S. version is expected to feature a second-generation electric drive system with lighter and more efficient lithium-ion batteries. Consuming just 12kw-hours per 100km, the average cost of running the car is around two and a half cents per mile and it takes just 5.7 seconds to accelerate from rest to a reasonable driving pace of 60km/h.
If the tests prove successful, Smart exec Anders Jensen says the zero-emissions vehicle could enter production very quickly.
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