Daimler says third-gen Smart Fortwo electric is the EV drivers asked for

Published 19.06.2012.

Daimler talked about the start of production for the next-generation Smart Fortwo ED last week, but waited until today to give more details on the electric-drive city car (standard details here or below). With a bigger motor from EM-motive, higher top speed (75 miles per hour) and more range (90 miles), the new Fortwo ED has been upgraded with input from "extensive experience and customer feedback from various electric mobility projects," Daimler says in a statement. Smart head Annette Winkler says, "We have taken their feedback and wishes very seriously. The new smart fortwo electric drive represents a completely new dimension of zero-emission driving pleasure at a price that is really attractive."

The new 17.6-kWh lithium-ion battery (the second-gen one was 16.5) can be charged in seven hours from completely empty "at a household socket or charging station on the electricity systems of most countries i.e. overnight" (in Europe, anyway, where home current is often over 200 volts, or similar to Level Two charging). A 22-kW (!) on-board charger allows a "completely empty battery to be fully charged in less than an hour" from a quick-charging station. Smart and SPX will offer two home- (or work-) charging boxes - a basic and connected version - that both offer this fast charging. The only difference is that the connected version can get online.

The new Smart ED also looks different. LED daytime driving lights sit beneath headlamps that frame a larger grille. The doors are wider, too. Most interesting, the E-Smart can now be ordered in any of the colors that normal Fortwos are available in, but there is still the EV-exclusive green model. This upgraded package now comes with a brighter "electric" green mixed among the "crystal white bodypanels and white alloy rims." You can see all you like in the gallery and read more - about the new Smart Drive app (we hope in-car installation isn't still $300) - in the press release below.

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Read full article at: green.autoblog.com