Official smart fortwo electric drive thread

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AndyH said:
Not new testing, though, as the smarts being tested are 2014 models and testing began almost a year ago. While I look forward to seeing their results from the two AZ cars, we've had a number of them on Texas roads for a bit over a year now and there's been no noticeable range loss so far. So far, so good!

The 2015 Smart ED is unchanged from 2014.

See this post for an example of MB battery test results on customer car showing 2.6% potential loss of range in one year.
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f170/hv-battery-capacity-after-1-year-92226/#post1062778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, my Smart ED is perfect, not a hint of any issues in 1.5 years, and there's no way to know if I've lost range, as I always recharge to 100% nightly, and have never run out no noticed any reduction that can't be explained by weather or my heavy right foot. ;-)
 
SmartElectric said:
AndyH said:
Not new testing, though, as the smarts being tested are 2014 models and testing began almost a year ago. While I look forward to seeing their results from the two AZ cars, we've had a number of them on Texas roads for a bit over a year now and there's been no noticeable range loss so far. So far, so good!

The 2015 Smart ED is unchanged from 2014.
That appears to be true. ;)

SmartElectric said:
See this post for an example of MB battery test results on customer car showing 2.6% potential loss of range in one year.
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f170/hv-battery-capacity-after-1-year-92226/#post1062778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Personally, my Smart ED is perfect, not a hint of any issues in 1.5 years, and there's no way to know if I've lost range, as I always recharge to 100% nightly, and have never run out no noticed any reduction that can't be explained by weather or my heavy right foot. ;-)
I hear you about the right foot - this thing's really fun and I'm having trouble practicing efficient driving. ;)

Thanks for the link - didn't see that last time I scanned that forum. It looks like that owner had about 75 cycles. The LiTec chart seems to show an initial drop, then a 'break in' climb in capacity to around 300 cycles, before capacity starts to fall off. It'll be interesting to see if he loses some of that 2.x% next year.
LiTec Powerpoint eloder referenced earlier

As mine is just a month old, I think I'll see if I can get a 'starting' battery check. I guess it's time to see what the local EV tech likes to drink. :D
 
Although we passed on a smart ED as I've mentioned earlier in this thread, we did trade-in our '08 passion coupe for a '14 passion cabrio and the MBZ rep had mentioned that when we bring the smart in for service, they'll give us a Mercedes as a loaner ... perhaps the CA area dealer's have taken this a step further and provided loaners for smart ED or ICE driver's who need to travel farther than its range or just as an option when you need more room. We saw this while on a trip out to Sonoma Wine country this past week; may check out this perk on our next service but would be a big plus to any new smart car owner (ICE or EV) if its more widely available:

MBZ%20smart.jpg
 
I kinda of Fit in a #SMARTEV

https://transportevolved.com/2015/03/21/electragirl-2015-smart-electric-drive-first-time-out-in-a-crowd/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Screen Shot 2015-03-28 at 11.02.51 AM.png
 
From ^^^

The Smart Electric Drive is so easy to wash. Sometimes I forget whether I have washed all sides of the car as, it takes so little time to get round the car, I always think I must have forgotten bits.

Smart + "adult-onset ADD" (that's what I'm calling it :p ) = extra walks around the car with a wet rag. :lol:
 
AndyH said:
Smart + "adult-onset ADD" (that's what I'm calling it :p ) = extra walks around the car with a wet rag. :lol:
Ya gotta knock off all the Smart Car EV talk. You are making me jealous! What kind of highway range are you getting? Any idea on how it would compare to a Leaf?
 
jhm614 said:
AndyH said:
Smart + "adult-onset ADD" (that's what I'm calling it :p ) = extra walks around the car with a wet rag. :lol:
Ya gotta knock off all the Smart Car EV talk. You are making me jealous! What kind of highway range are you getting? Any idea on how it would compare to a Leaf?
So far 80 miles is easy with a mix of 65 mph and local driving. I haven't yet jumped on I10 and done an 'all highway' range test, nor have I discharged below 18% yet.

Aside from the ability to fast charge (not available in San Antonio or on the smart), the number of seats, and differences between typical Japanese and Euro car handling/steering wheel feel, the Leaf would probably have room for a rifle case in the back. ;)

try_1.jpg


try_2.jpg


;)
 
AndyH said:
Aside from the ability to fast charge (not available in San Antonio or on the smart), the number of seats, and differences between typical Japanese and Euro car handling/steering wheel feel, the Leaf would probably have room for a rifle case in the back. ;)

try_1.jpg


try_2.jpg



;)
Okay, now we know you're a real Texan, not one of the Austin faux variety! When will you be installing the (appropriately sized so as not to exceed the car's width) longhorns on the hood or grill? https://www.google.com/search?q=longhorns+on+car&rlz=1CASMAD_enUS633US633&tbm=isch&imgil=kTcyXJK9rJecQM%253A%253BB1nIwCr2l69zwM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fblenderartists.org%25252Fforum%25252Fshowthread.php%25253F314942-Cadillac-DeVille-WIP&source=iu&pf=m&fir=kTcyXJK9rJecQM%253A%252CB1nIwCr2l69zwM%252C_&usg=__N4T26VbCKwb1x-zJkbyIyHvGbWI%3D&biw=1280&bih=689&ved=0CCgQyjc&ei=djIXVf2bIsffoATpsoDoCQ#imgrc=kTcyXJK9rJecQM%253A%3BB1nIwCr2l69zwM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhometownbyhandlebar.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F07%252Fcar-cadillac-longhorn-1024x550.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblenderartists.org%252Fforum%252Fshowthread.php%253F314942-Cadillac-DeVille-WIP%3B1024%3B550" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:D
 
GRA said:
Okay, now we know you're a real Texan, not one of the Austin faux variety! When will you be installing the (appropriately sized so as not to exceed the car's width) longhorns on the hood or grill? <snip>

:D
I don't know what kind of critters y'all have over there on the left coast, but down here bumblebees don't have horns. ;) :lol:


bumblebee.jpg
 
https://www.google.com/search?q=insect+horns&rlz=1CASMAD_enUS633US633&biw=1280&bih=689&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ozgXVbecOoLfoATX2YDYAg&ved=0CB0QsAQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

;)
 
jhm614 said:
AndyH said:
Smart + "adult-onset ADD" (that's what I'm calling it :p ) = extra walks around the car with a wet rag. :lol:
Ya gotta knock off all the Smart Car EV talk. You are making me jealous! What kind of highway range are you getting? Any idea on how it would compare to a Leaf?

Highway range can be pretty nasty in a smart ED, as it's as aerodynamic as a brick. I'm close to my smart ED order arriving, but I've heard a large number of really positive stories on its range at 45 and below (city speeds) putting the Leaf's range to shame. It weighs very little so it makes sense even with the lower battery available. However it does seem to do better in extreme weather compared to the Leaf and even the i3, with -10 F temperature ranges still seeing 35 miles of highway range with the heater on 72 degrees. I've heard of mixed city/highway driving reports all the way down to -30 F still hitting that 35-40+ miles of range.

I've test driven both the Leaf and the smart ED and I definitely prefer the ED. I'm pretty biased because I love my gas smart a ton, and the electric smart is the unparalleled ultimate city commuter/errand car because you aren't bogged down by the transmission. Also a big fan of $430 down and $139 a month lease in a state with no tax incentives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDpEGH2Z_Ew" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it picks up very well! :D

If you want to be even more jealous, just imagine how little time it takes to clear snow off the smart. And all the free parking spots that appear in the winter, in front of snow banks on the parking lot. (If you live in those areas!)

I don't know what kind of critters y'all have over there on the left coast, but down here bumblebees don't have horns.

Here's my gas smart at a drive-in movie theater! This car acts as its own recliner seat with the tailgate for that purpose. Can't go wrong with the Bumblebee :D unfortunately I don't think I could do another Bumblebee configuration without the black Brabus rims in the future :(
10172686_10104357679946375_7213646037117283020_n.jpg

977452_10102969472115995_1688796472_o.jpg


I'll have to post pictures of my electric. I ordered a black body with red tridion, red interior and definitely can't wait.
 
redLEAF said:
Found something that includes a source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/30/lg-chem-daimler-idUSS6N0SI00W20150330
(Reuters) - South Korea's LG Chem said it had been picked by Daimler AG as the sole battery supplier for the automaker's new range of Smart electric vehicles, which will be launched in 2016.

That seems really strange since Daimler has one joint venture to make cells and another to make the complete battery. One of the main reasons I went with this car was the cell - I wonder how LG Chem's compare?
 
That seems really strange since Daimler has one joint venture to make cells and another to make the complete battery. One of the main reasons I went with this car was the cell - I wonder how LG Chem's compare?

I believe they do well. The important part about the EV battery is a proper active TMS system, and smart's active liquid-based TMS is one of the better ones out there.

Like Volts and Teslas, I doubt we'll have much to worry about with LG Chem batteries as long as smart doesn't drop the nice TMS system with the 453s.
 
In light of the challenge some Leafers are having with their 12V battery, I charged my smart to 100% overnight. Today I drove the car for a few quick trips, then disconnected the 12V battery from all loads for just over one hour. The open circuit voltage on the battery was 13.04VDC. Fully charged.

Yet another thing I don't have to worry about now that I have a smart. :cool:

footwell.jpg
 
http://www.lgchem.com/global/lg-chem-company/information-center/press-release/news-detail-659
Seoul, Korea - Mar 31, 2015 – LG Chem, Korea’s leading manufacturer of advanced batteries, has been selected by Daimler AG (Daimler) as the supplier of lithium-ion batteries for Smart EV that will be newly launched in 2016. Based on the results of mass supply contract, LG Chem will be providing battery cells to Smart EV and the cells will be installed into packs by Daimler.
According to ‘Most Valuable Automobile Brands 2014’ released by Brand Finance, a brand valuation and strategy consultancy, the top 20 brands are Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Audi, Chevrolet, Kia, Daimler and GM. All of these automakers use LG Chem’s batteries for EV application. By signing a supply contract with Daimler, LG Chem has become the world’s biggest automotive battery supplier, having at least 13 global automakers among the top 20 global brands.

http://insideevs.com/daimler-confirms-2016-arrival-next-gen-smart-fortwo-electric-forfour-electric/
“Deutsche ACCUmotive will be producing the lithium-ion batteries for the upcoming electric versions of the smart fortwo and forfour from 2016 as well as for future hybrid models of Mercedes-Benz. The development and production of our lithium-ion batteries is competitive in every respect. We are in the black at Deutsche ACCUmotive.”

According to the various Inside EVs pieces, Daimler planned to shut-down their joint operation with cell producer Li-Tec in Dec 2015 while continuing their battery pack assembly joint venture Deutsche ACCUmotive.

edit... more. Seems I missed plenty of 'happenings' in the couple of years I wasn't shopping for an EV. Didn't know that Li-Tec was in trouble. :(
http://insideevs.com/daimler-seeks-...ium-ion-battery-joint-venture-li-tec-battery/

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/04/01/daimler-goes-lg-chem-supplier-new-ev-batteries/
#1 EV Battery Supplier Now LG Chem With New Daimler Deal?

Anyone know if LG Chem's expanding their production capability?
 
Recent Daimler smart ED study findings ... loved this quote (no real surprise BTW)

Perhaps most interesting, though, was one of the projects findings: "the less an interviewee knew about electric mobility, the more negative their opinion" about the technology. In other words, here's some more proof that getting "butts in seats," as it were, is one reasonable way to promote electric driving.

This was also promising; I'm sure this was some 'hyper-miler' but 100 miles in a smart ED!

The first, just-finished eMERGE program ran from May 2013 to June 2015 and put over a million kilometers (621,000 miles) onto 146 Smart Fortwo EDs. Daimler said that over the two years, the vehicle with the most efficient annual energy consumption used just 10.4 kWh for all of its 100 kilometers. The best full-charge range over the year was 161 kilometers (100 miles).


http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/30/daimler-emerge2-test-proves-ignorance-breeds-dislike-of-evs/
 
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