Official smart fortwo electric drive thread

[redLEAF]

Coming to the U.S., but only 250 to start (2011)


http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car ... ive_review

[MikeBoxwell]

Rumors that Nissan are considering one offering a Smart ED instead of a space-saver spare tire in the LEAF are apparently unfounded.

[Bicster]

I enjoyed this take on it: http://www.darrylsiry.com/2010/06/daiml ... rt-ev.html

[garygid]

Real coasting, and Regen on the go-slower, along with essentially conventional hydraulic brakes. Good Work!

What 240v EVSE (3.3kW) will they be using?
Is it an alternative to the AV/Nissan EVSE?

[Bicster]

Gary, you'll be able to use any EVSE with any EV provided they both support J1772.

I think in your case you'll want to import the portable EVSE that will come with the UK Leaf models, chop the plug off, and put one of the Tesla adapter kits on the end

Sometimes I wonder if Nissan's US-spec portable EVSE will be 240V tolerant. It would not be difficult at all from a design standpoint.

[cinmar]

I read that the smart will have a max speed of 60 mph. My 3 cylinder gas smart goes up to 100 mph, and gets nearly 50 mpg on the freeway (with a 65-70 mph speed limit) between Stockton and Sacramento. My husband uses the smart as his commuter car, so I'm wondering if an electric smart would be a more around-town vehicle given the max mph and range.

[redLEAF]

I read that the smart will have a max speed of 60 mph. My 3 cylinder gas smart goes up to 100 mph, and gets nearly 50 mpg on the freeway (with a 65-70 mph speed limit) between Stockton and Sacramento. My husband uses the smart as his commuter car, so I'm wondering if an electric smart would be a more around-town vehicle given the max mph and range.

My wife drives our '08 smart fortwo passion coupe on short trips and it still gets low 40's mpg, we've also seen near 50 mpg on the highway but it's not meant to be a great long distance high speed runner - at the price they want for the ED (more than double the ICE version) this one doesn't appear to make a lot of sense (especially with the $599/mo lease). Most articles don't mention if smart, once 2012 rolls around and more are available that the price will go down but perhaps the 250 will simply go to fleets (like ZipCar) for urban use, not sure.

At the very least, they have one in production and it's made by a major mfg so I give them credit for trying! Perhaps our UK expert (MikeBoxwell) can shed some light on the acceptance in the UK -- seem to recall some trials of ED powered smarts in Europe.

[redLEAF]

Another article with more info ... battery comes from Tesla, etc.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/ ... est-drive/


added another, better pictures a little more info ...


http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/06/sm ... es+2%29%29

[evnow]

I suspect this is just a CARB play just like the Mini-E. Purely to exploit the loopholes in the regulation rather than any real commitment.

[AndyH]

The 2011 smart fortwo electric drive has arrived at smart center dealerships across the country! We invite you to take a test drive and be one of the first to get behind the wheel of the next generation of smart.

Check out all the green dots on the map:
http://www.smartusa.com/electricdrive/