Smart Car | MNN - Mother Nature Network

MNN.com > Smart Car

The term “smart car” commonly refers to the diminutive two-seat automobile manufactured by Daimler AG. The formal name of the automobile is the Smart Fortwo.

In keeping with current trends, Daimler is beginning production of an electric-battery version of their original gas design. The new electric Smart car has the same proportions as the gas-run template, with the battery on the underside of the vehicle in order not to lose out on storage area.

Read more about 'smart car'

Called the Smart Fortwo ED, the vehicle does not emit any carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, particulate matter or pollutants. It is estimated that by driving the electric smart car, maintenance and general automotive costs will be reduced by 10-15 percent per year.

The new electric car is 95-percent recyclable, and has a 16.5 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery produced by Tesla Motors. It takes three-and-a-half hours to go from a 20 percent to an 80 percent state of charge, but when fully charged, the car has an 83-mile cruising range. The battery can be charged using either a common household 110V outlet or a 220V outlet.

In October 2010, Smart USA will release 250 electric vehicles to select US cities, and 1,250 cars throughout Europe and Canada, as phase two of a three-phase program. The first phase was in 2007, when 100 electric drive vehicles began placement in London. The date for general commercial production, the third and final phase of the introduction of the electric Smart car, is aimed for early 2012.

For more information:

• Smart on Wikipedia

Twins in car, with one asleep at the wheel.

Twins in car, with one asleep at the wheel.

Cars are engineered to put us to sleep

July 12, 2018, 9:12 a.m. by Christian Cotroneo

It will take a bold automaker to introduce uncomfortable, wooden benches and electrified 'snooze control.'

A new Audi A 3 car is pictured in the final check section of the Audi car factory

A new Audi A 3 car is pictured in the final check section of the Audi car factory

Google, Audi bring Android to your car

December 30, 2013, 12:15 p.m. by Dan Howley, LAPTOP

It's expected that Google's integrated technology will likely accept voice commands so drivers can keep their eyes on the road.

The future belongs to drones

December 2, 2013, 12:26 p.m. by Shea Gunther

And I don’t know whether to be scared or excited.

The future on two wheels (or maybe three)

October 14, 2013, 2:53 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

China is already moving on electric bicycles and scooters. We've been slow to catch up, but it's happening. E-bikes as moving vans and pizza delivery vans? You bet.

Daimler offers best new deal in battery car leasing: $139 a month for the Smart Car

August 6, 2013, 10:20 a.m. by Jim Motavalli

This is one of the lowest monthly payments for any car on the road. Auto companies have to move the electrics, and that means Crazy Eddie-type pricing.

6 must-download cool car apps

July 22, 2013, 12:56 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

With these free or cheap apps, you can drive safely, park your car without circling, find cheap gas, and even locate repair shops you can trust.

Want a smart grid? Maybe you can win one on 'The Price Is Right'

February 2, 2012, 1:20 p.m. by Chris Turner

As California's new Advanced Clean Cars rules push electric vehicles one step closer to the mass market, could the smart grid be the sequel to 'California emissions'?

Car sharing goes electric

July 13, 2011, 1:34 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

Daimler's Car2Go is launching a 300-vehicle, all-electric fleet in San Diego, probably the best place in the country for EV readiness. If the experiment is successful, the world is next.

New York Auto Show: Green cars are the new mainstream

April 21, 2011, 3:19 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

The annual extravaganza rolls into town with eco-themed cars that aren't just for the show stands anymore. These days, it's the trucks and the SUVs that are on the sidelines.

Urban warrior: The electric Smart car is made for the city

June 11, 2010, 3:40 p.m. by Jim Motavalli

The plug-in Smart, with 83-mile range, steering as slick as a tick, and parking in half a space, will find a niche in major cities. In many ways, it's better than the gas version.

My long week with a Smart car

May 7, 2010, 11:39 a.m. by Jim Motavalli

Seven days with a Smart car provided some surprises. It's both better and worse than I expected.

Can I afford an eco-friendly car?

February 18, 2009, 2:11 p.m. by Josh Dorfman

These autos are fun to drive and surprisingly hip.

multicolored view of Venus

9 surreal images of Venus

Saturn as seen by Hubble in June 2019

12 incredible images of Saturn

Cat's Paw Nebula, Spitzer telescope

12 spectacular images from NASA's Spitzer telescope