Daimler Says Smart Fortwo EV Will Be Available for Sale in the U.K. Early Next Year
By Scott Doggett June 23, 2009
Daimler announced today that it will begin selling all-electric Smart ForTwos in the United Kingdom next year at a cost of about $22,400 - or about the cost of a Toyota Prius or Honda Insight hybrid.
The price includes government tax incentives for zero-emissions vehicles.
Daimler, which has been real-world testing the battery-powered two-seater in London, Rome, Paris and other European cities, said the vehicle will enter "small series production, with cars coming to the U.K. in early 2010."
The exact number of available Smart ForTwo EDs - as they call them, with "ED" standing for electric drive - was not disclosed. Daimler said the vehicle will feature a 40-horsepower electric motor that'll draw its juice from a lithium-ion battery.
The German automaker also said the car can reach 30 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, has a top speed of 60 mph and a range of about 70 miles per charge, with mileage varying with driving habits, cargo weight and environmental factors.
A full recharge using a normal plug and outlet requires up to eight hours. While the Smart ForTwo ED burns no climate-changing fossil fuels, it should be noted that the vehicles are only as clean as the source of the electricity they use.
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