Electric smart not expected until 2012
Daimler has been testing electric smart fortwos for a little while now, and the cars have been switched over from sodium-based batteries to newer lithium ion units in the last few months. Hopefully, at some point, all of this various testing will result in electric fortwos intended for public consumption. That day may be far off into the future. In fact, it could take a full three-years before Daimler is ready to put its electric smart into production - and at twice the price of the standard fortwo. We find that a little excessive, considering that electric vehicles are currently in production, including the recently announced MINI E. Technically, electric vehicles have been around since the early 1900s, so its definitely possible to get one into production by now. Even if Daimler isn't able to make any money on them, it seems that it would be better to at least get the EVs into the real world at a loss. We also think it's high time to bring the micro-hybrid system to America.
[Source: Verdict on Cars]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
state 9:32PM (11/28/2008)
Jermey wrote "We find that a little excessive"
What the delay of the price?
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jake 10:22PM (11/28/2008)
Timeline I would guess. A higher price isn't at all surprising for EVs, but that they have to delay the timeline kind of is since they have had electric smarts for trail for some time now and BMW announced their's just recently.
Jeremy Korzeniewski 11:58AM (11/29/2008)
Both. Mostly the delay, but the smart is already priced a bit high. A premium? Sure. Twice the cost? That's excessive.
jk
Max 11:24PM (11/28/2008)
3 years and 2x the price (which is already high) ??
They already sell retrofit electric kits for 10-12k that make a pick up truck run for 35 miles. What is wrong with Daimler?
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state 11:30PM (11/28/2008)
"Technically, electric vehicles have been around since the early 1900s, so its definitely possible to get one into production by now"
Okay, this just qualifies as a stupid statement.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:05AM (11/29/2008)
It's pretty difficult to say the BMW MINI E is "in production" when only 500 will be made, and none will be sold.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 12:40PM (11/29/2008)
Point taken. What I meant was that the cars will actually be in consumer's driveways, not under strict control of BMW or MINI...
JK
Ron 12:52AM (11/29/2008)
Starting to sound a bit like the start of the fuel cell craze eh? First announcements claimed sales in two years or so, then the push back started. While R&D progress on fuel cells continues to be made the gap from there to volume production remains huge (the cost of platinum alone). The difference with battery electrics seems to be that no laws of physics need to be broken, only consumer expectations about range and pricing. Killer there however. Still waiting for a broader rollout of micro "start stop" hybrids.
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freshforged 2:05AM (11/29/2008)
"Even if Daimler isn't able to make any money on them, it seems that it would be better to at least get the EVs into the real world at a loss."
credibility=gone
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 12:44PM (11/29/2008)
You do realize that a loaded smart easily tops $20K, right? That means that an electric, two-seat smart could crest $40K... and it might not even be available for what, three years?
JK
andrichrose 5:06AM (11/29/2008)
This is just confirmation of the stupidty of the majority of large
carmakers , providing this car in electric form could give a much
needed boost to an ailing industry .
This car is already being sold in electric form in switzerland with
the sodium battery by Mes-Dea , and also in Guernsey with a lithium ion battery .
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=0kwVdnxPd6g
The company in guernsey are converting new smarts and told
me when I visted a couple of weeks ago that the new bodyshell has been totally altered with all the brackets and mountings necessary for the electric version.
This car is obivously ready for prodution in electric form , they
just dont want to sell it !
On the cost side myself and a friend are currently converting an Audi A2 here in italy , and have just secured the purchase
of 16KW/h of lithium cells for around $10,000 , it sounds alot
of cash , but this is a one off price to a private buyer , in prodution quantities to a company such as MB I am sure that
the price would be half of that !
We are consistantly being hood winked by these companies
as to the viability of electric cars , its all here now !
If you need any futher proof watch this video
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=J95Lh3NnL4A
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Nick 4:47PM (11/29/2008)
Andrich, you're working on an incredibly exciting project!
The Audi A2 is a great car, I wish they still made them, ultra efficient and great looking.
You're absolutely right, if the little guys can retrofit vehicles for 10-15k there's absolutely no reason why huge car companies can't add an electric powertrain to a tiny Smart for less than 20k.
It doesn't make any sense, it should be the opposite.
Throwback 8:32AM (11/29/2008)
Why should Daimler sell a EV at a loss? Smart has never made a profit, why add more losses to the brand?
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Don 4:36PM (11/29/2008)
Smart has made profits recently, after years of losses.
Overall, Daimler is still profitable (in billions of $) and I think a electric car would boost their image of technologically advanced.
Stan Wellaway 10:48AM (11/29/2008)
Electric versions of the Smart were offered in the UK a year ago by Vertici. See http://www.verteci.co.uk/electric_cars.asp
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Mark Parr 6:38PM (12/01/2008)
Brand new lithium powered Smarts are available from the Guernsey Company ( see evc.gg) They have just started production with prices from £14920.00
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JC 1:45PM (12/02/2008)
First and foremost the gas powered U.S. Smart is too expensive, too slow, uses premium fuel, has a horrendous transmission and the mileage hovers in the low 30's...all unacceptable for such a tiny car. When you compare the Smart to a similar priced car such as the excellent Honda Fit, it makes absolutely no sense. I cannot understand why they didn't develop a hybrid version or an electric version from the get-go for this car. If an electric version does come out priced near $30,000, it will be simply a rip off unless you have money to blow on the newest "toys."
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