The Paris Motor Show is playing host to a number of environmental concepts this year, but the latest generation of the Smart Fortwo may prove to be the most important of them all.
The Smart model range is already established as the leader for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – the Smart Fortwo CDI emits just 88g/km, which is the lowest figure of any production car worldwide. However, the Smart Fortwo with electric drive produces no local emissions and further underlines the company’s devotion to developing environmental and sustainable concepts.
At the end of 2007, Smart leased 100 electric Smarts to be used in a pilot project throughout London. With encouraging feedback, and exemption from the London Congestion Charge, the project was deemed a success.
The Smart Fortwo Ed will be put to the test further during the e-mobility Berlin project. With support from the German government and the state of Berlin, Daimler AG and energy provider RWE are working on an initiative to create the conditions for zero emission motoring. RWE will be providing 500 electricity charging stations while Daimler will contribute 100 electric cars.
To boost the Smart Fortwo Ed ahead of the project, it has been equipped with state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries to create higher performance, shorter charging times and more reliability.
There will also be an on-board unit which communicates with the charging station – this will ensure the battery is automatically charged with low-priced electricity when the network is not used to full capacity, such as during off-peak times. There will also be reductions when the electricity is available from more alternative energy sources than is currently required.
Series production of the two-seat model will begin at the end of 2009 before delivery will begin to select customers.
