ForTwo EV: Smart car goes electric

LEFT LANE BLOG NEWS, 12 JUNE 2006 - - DaimlerChrysler today announced that an all-electric version of the Smart Fortwo will be available in the near future. The automaker will first run a market trial for the car over in Britain. Initially, it will be leased to select corporate customers. If all goes well, we may see the car offered in other markets, including here in North America. The Fortwo EV offers even better in-town performance than its gasoline powered stablemate, with 0-30 mph in 6.5 seconds. The Smart EV also sets a new benchmark in the electric vehicle sector; it has 30kW output and a top speed of 70 mph. Smart will begin selling its cars in the United States in 2008. It's not known if the 'EV' model will be ready for mass sale by that time, though it remains a distinct possibility.