Smart Fortwo ED - Lithium-ion battery

Tesla is the supplier for the high-performance, lithium-ion battery pack found in the new 2011 Smart electric model. The drained batteries can be recharged through any 230 volt power outlet. Tesla has put a great deal of research and development into their batteries, creating some of the longest life batteries available for electric cars. Currently, you can expect these batteries to take up to 1,000 charges and to last up to 10 years.

Technology continues to march forward, and advancements are constantly being made. It can be expected that the cars range will increase with each successive generation. A full charge requires roughly 8 hours to achieve and will cost roughly $2.00 in electricity. That $2 expense will take you roughly the same distance as a traditional car would go for $12. Naturally, conservative driving will help you conserve the cars energy. The faster you go, the faster the batteries will drain.

This all –electric smart car features a 41 hp electric motor with chargers made by Tesla. The lithium-ion battery pack allows the car to enjoy a very low center of gravity. This makes handling the car feel much more comfortable than previous models. The ride is quieter, as well, due to the extra weight of the batteries.

Cleverly placing the batteries under seats allowed the cockpit of each Smart car to remain roughly the same. However, there are now two new gauges that will tell you what the battery charge level of your car is and how much energy the motor is creating.

The nearly silent and totally electric EV smart emits no harmful emissions. There are no trace amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, harmful substances, or hydrocarbons.

Smart Safety

Safety still matters, even in electric vehicles. To keep the occupants protected, this EV Smart vehicle features ESP, ABS brakes, seat-belt pre-tensioners, and six airbags.

Top Speed

Designed for city driving, the top speed in the car is 65 mph. While this electric drive may be more than enough for running errands around town, I absolutely would not recommend taking this car onto any highways, or even into aggressive rush hour traffic.

Tiny Footprint

The Smart Car has a tiny footprint in parking lots as well as on the planet, but is still comfortable for two people of just about any size. With its fantastic mileage ratings, impressive style and tight handling, you may not mind the higher price tag.

Economical and eco-friendly analysis:

Just as the impressive gas version Smart car was designed for city driving, the electric model is no different. The Smart Fortwo is not currently the most economical way of driving an eco-friendly car that gets great mileage. However, a Smart is absolutely a car to watch because it is setting the bar for other manufacturers, and will continue to do so.

Smart EV Availability

While there are no EV Smart cars for sale. Preferred buyers in the USA could lease the cars from select smart centers. Nevertheless, leasing a Smart electric car may not be clever and it certainly isn't cheap. If you can find one. You'll need to plop down a $2,500 deposit and your lease payment will be $599 a month or $649 if you want an electric smart convertible. This is a four-year lease that will cost you nearly $40,000. In comparison the top of the line gasoline-powered model Smart Fortwo BRABUS convertible will set you back roughly $20,000. The 2011 Nissan Leaf's lease is half the price and offers a five-door, five-passenger all-electric Leaf with a range of one hundred miles and a reasonable MRSP of $25,000 after rebates.

To stay competitive, Smart USA must find a way to bring the cost of every Smart Car down, or it will be the Leaf dominating city streets all across the nation.

While the availability of Smart cars in the USA market for 2011 is limited, the shift to electric vehicles as our primary means of transportation is under way. When commercial sales will begin in 2012 the demand by the public is expected to be high. Daimler reports all out production will ramp up in 2013. Hopefully, the price will ramp down?

The Smart Fortwo is well known already for its unique look, ultra-compact design and incredible gas mileage and like the gas version one day the Smart EV may be one of the more sought after cars. Even the version that ran strictly on fossil fuels represented a huge savings in gas for the average driver. Still, the EV Smart auto will have an impressive alternative power source that will impress even the most jaded cynic.