Electric Smart Car to Go On Sale in North America this Fall

The tiny and lightweight smart fortwo looks like it should be a battery electric vehicle, and for good reason. It was designed from the start for electric drive…it’s just taken a while to get there. Though a conventionally powered smart debuted in 1998, an electric version didn’t emerge until 2007 when it first appeared in London. Since then a total of 100 first generation models have been put in service. Besides this factory effort, independent companies have also developed electric drivetrains for the smart over the years and attempted to bring smart EVs to market. Obviously, interest in this is keen.

Now, Mercedes-Benz plans to offer a second generation smart fortwo electric in the U.S. or Canada starting this fall. The model first began production in Europe last November and is already available there. Initial production volume has been increased from 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles because of huge demand.

The most significant difference between the first and second generation cars is the battery chemistry. First generation variants used a sodium-nickel-chloride (NaNiCl) battery, while the latest version integrates a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. This increases driving range from just over 60 miles to about 85 miles. The Li-ion technology also offers reduced charging times, a longer life, and higher reliability, plus enabling a cold start at minus 25 degrees C. In contrast, the NaNiCl battery operates at temperatures between 280 and 320 degrees C so it requires heating and an insulated casing.

The Tesla Motors-supplied 16.5 kWh Li-ion battery is installed between the axles where the fuel tank is located in other smart models. The second generation Li-ion battery is the same size as the NaNiCl battery it replaces. Since electric drive was considered from the beginning, the smart fortwo’s electric drive module does not compromise interior or luggage space. Charging can be done via any normal 220 volt, 16 amp household outlet.

A more capable electric motor is also used in the latest generation smart electric. The 20 kW (30 kW peak) magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear and drives the rear wheels. The new motor provides 89 lbs-ft of torque right from the start, allowing the smart fortwo ED to accelerate from 0 to 35 mph in under 6.5 seconds. Since it’s aimed at the city car market, this electric’s top speed is electronically limited to 62 mph (100 km/h). A single fixed gear ratio transmission is used with reverse achieved by changing motor rotation direction.

Because many potential smart fortwo electric drive buyers want to make a ‘green’ statement, the model comes with distinctive design features that address this. These include green painted alloy wheels, mirror caps, and contrast components plus a green tridion cell created with green adhesive foil. The words ‘electric drive’ appear on the rear and in the mirror triangle.

The smart fortwo electric will be volume produced starting in 2012 and sold in almost 40 markets through the smart dealer network. These will be third generation models with a new lithium-ion battery that Daimler is developing with Evonik. Unlike the Tesla battery with its many cylinder-shaped cells, the Daimler battery will have fewer but larger plate units. This results in greater energy density, increased range, and even longer battery life.