Hybrid Technologies to Produce Electric Smart Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 09.14.05
The smart car made by DaimlerChrysler seems to be popular for modification projects. Recently, we wrote about a smart car with a motorcycle engine, and now we learn that a company called Hybrid Technologies is planning to produce an all-electric version of the vehicle. At first, it will be available to the European fleet and government sectors. "Initial orders for lithium Smart Cars will be manufactured by Cinema Vehicles, the company that has already worked with Hybrid Technologies on its electric versions of the Crossfire (R Car), Mini Cooper and PT Cruiser." The electric smart car will have a range of over 120 miles per charge (at highway speeds), and it should take 10 hours to recharge the 30kWh battery pack with the 3,000W charger, or 6 hours with the optional 5,000W charger. Pricing has not yet been released.
::Hybrid Technologies Begins Production of Lithium Smart Car, ::Hybrid Technologies, via ::Green Car Congress
So many people and companies have cried wolf so many times over the years about first getting Smarts to the USA, and offering EV versions that I have lost hope, if not interest. Car designs, like shoes, don't last... even the bug had to evolve... The Smart is almost half a decade old now... Even if DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes found it in their stone heart to finally import a few for the affluent US market, the novelty has worn off. We need to look to who will design and make the next generation of EVs, NOT keep praying the bad guys will find their Gaian soul.
...more than half a decade Remy-- they were flooding the streets in the netherlands back in '99... and from what i understood from some people at Swatch (the s in smart) they wrere supposed to be electric back then, but "the market wasn't ready" (blame the market!) and you're right... whats teh point of propping up an ancient design with no changes unless your L.L.Bean? but as far as them not letting smarts into USA i think it has much more to do with Zapworld than the mean mercedes peeps..... NEWay atthis point if you want the latest and coolest, get one of those George Clooney cars (tango?)... theyre even cuter than the smart
I want to know
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Car companies, like all commercial enterprises, are in business to make money. They are not in business to make people happy. They may have to make people happy to stay in business, but the goal of any company is to make money. Following this simple line of reasoning, if they can't make a profit, there is not point in remaining in business. People will buy electric cars (or whatever) when there is a need, a good product and a price they can afford. The market will provide that product when they can make a profit. Why didn't you learn this in school?
zapworld.com
the little motor that can and does today.
tell your friends.
Doesn't WalMart Sell ESmartCars AnyWay?
Why support WalMart or Chrysler for that matter.
this post is was from 05, it's now 08, and still no Smart Electric in the U.S. Good call on this prediction
Lame. These companies will never sell an electric car. All hype. . all the time. Lame.
Dies anyone know where I can buy an electric car???
Like something that would go at least 45and mph with range of about 68miles???
I leave in CA, USA !
I wonder if they sell any smart all electric cars in in CA???
Thanks!!!
Well it looks like you can buy a smart car since Jan 2008 but their not electric these smart cars their gas powered 3 cycle 33/41 miles per gallon check the specs in small print near the bottom of the page.
http://www.smartusa.com/
The car I have now get 37 miles per gallon, what be the point of having a car that only gets 33 ?
I was thinking of getting one anyway, but I need more gas millage that I am currently getting.. Maybe a 3 cycle hybrid will come along ?