The Smart car is not known for its speed but what it is known for is its superb fuel efficiency, which is why we thought it was very strange to hear that there is to be an Electric and Hybrid version of this small Mercedes vehicle. The electric version will have a 41hp electric motor, which will be able to reach speeds up to 69mph and will have a range of 70 miles.
Charging time for the electric smart car is about 8 hours, and that will cost you about $3 in electric. Do not expect it to break any land speed records, as the electric Smart will only get from 0-60 in about 19.8 seconds. But that is not what the little car is about, it is about helping our environment by having zero emissions.
The Hybrid Smart MHD or Micro Hybrid Drive has a starter generator, what happens is when the Hybrid Smart car comes to a complete stop or just under 5mph, the gas engine switches off and the electric motor kicks in. The emissions on the Hybrid Smart MHD are thought to be much lower than that of the Toyota Prius.
17 responses so far ↓
1 Spencer martin // Aug 6, 2007 at 5:15 pm
THIS IS NOT A CAR….. THIS IS A GOLF CART WITH HEADLIGHTS!!
2 Priscilla // Aug 6, 2007 at 9:34 pm
There is a definite advantage to an electric over gas version, even taking into account the displaced emissions from coal plants producing the electricity…how much…all things being equal, over 100k miles 75 vs 3008 lbs for emissions & 10 vs 35 tons for CO2. The goal should always be fewer to no emissions, even with a tiny vehicle such as this! Extreme?…no, because this would offset the gas-guzzling vehicles still on the road & will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Hopefully this will be a CHOICE one can make in the near future…We should support such efforts so more companies can join on & it will no longer be an oddity…peer-pressure works. There may be more up-to-date references but this will do to support my claim: http://www.radix.net/~futurev/pwrplnt.pdf
3 myron // Aug 6, 2007 at 10:13 pm
At $3.00 to go 70 miles. Gas will have to stay really high and electricity low to make this cost effective. After all my old Saturn 4 door can gets close to 40MPG and it has a lot more room and pep.
I have seen these close up in Germany. While they are small, they are bigger than the picture makes them seem.
4 Alan Coles // Aug 7, 2007 at 12:45 am
Look at the new Zapp x Crossover SUV… an electric SUV that carries 5 passengers, gets 350 miles per charge and… the battery can be totally recharged in 10 minutes. Now, that’s progress that all the major car companies need to look into. The cost per mile is estimated to be a penny a mile for the electric battery engine vs gasoline at $ 3.00/gallon. Its a no brainer… lower fuel cost, clean to the environment, and an entire new job sector to make these vehicles. A triple win.
AC,
Fresno, Ca
5 Kerry // Aug 7, 2007 at 4:32 am
Can it get on the main roads without getting run over? 0-40 mph is a very important safty item. How much green house gases are produced in the production of these little plastic “cars”?
6 Spencer martin // Aug 7, 2007 at 5:54 am
YEAH I’LL BUY ONE TO PULL MY BOAT… OH WAIT MY BOAT WEIGHS MORE AND HAS 3 TIMES THE HORSEPOWER… THIS THING HAS TO BE SOMEONES IDEA OF A JOKE. THERE IS NO WAY THIS COULD BE USED ON AMERICAN HIGHWAYS WITH TRUCK, SUV, 18 WHEEL TRAFFIC, AND FOR THAT MATTER SOMEONE WITH A BICYCLE. LET THEM KEEP THEM IN EUROPE, IN THE 1/2 SIZED CITY STREETS. JUST KEEP IT OFF THE AUTOBAHN. KIND OF REMINDS ME OF A FRED FLINTSTONE PEDAL CAR.
7 Spencer Martin // Aug 7, 2007 at 5:59 am
DISTANCE MILEAGE OF 70 MILES WHEN AVERAGING 24 MPH.NOT 69 MPH MAX. AGAIN A JOKE. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE COST OF THIS GO KART?
8 JayBee // Aug 7, 2007 at 6:38 am
Wow, even the non-hybrid version was already pushing the Prius on efficiency. The hybrid Smart should handily surpass it.
S.m.: Good to know that people who can’t figure out the caps lock and shift keys are the ones that don’t like the idea.
9 Darrell Mayeda // Aug 7, 2007 at 11:46 am
Have you considered that it wasn’t accident and MEANT to be shouting. It seems that he thinks the hybrid displayed is a big joke. The appearance of the car is ….unique to say the least. My first impression was “HUH, IS THAT A CAR? ARE YOU SERIOUS” I wonder if the designer of this vehicle was drunk, stoned, insane or some combination of the above We have a small electric car manufacturer and I think the oval design looks better than this … thing that Mercedes(?) created. Steve might be screaming AND laughing. That thing is an insult to golf carts and go karts. fyi I know about shouting and it was intentional.
10 Number 38 // Aug 7, 2007 at 2:12 pm
You’ve all been bambozzled …… this is a hoax, the car is a Cracker Jax toy! Gottcha !!!!
11 Ncaddy // Aug 7, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Considering if auto makers were to stop ALL productions of oversized vehicles there wouldn’t be any oversized vehicle to run this “Smart Car” over. However I’m a little confused about something… does it only go 70 miles before it has to be recharged? That would really BITE!!!
I have to say that I’m glad that there is a concern for the enviroment by trying to create a electric/ hybrid that will be pleasing for most. I personally couldn’t drive this Mercedes it reminds me too much of those Power Wheels vehicles you get for a toddler.
12 NukeSlayer // Aug 7, 2007 at 2:51 pm
If that’s all the performance they can squeeze out of it, knowing what we know about now about what is really possible with Tesla and Tango, it’s pathetic… perhaps yet another attempt by Chrysler in league with the oil companies to squelsh EV’s real potential.
13 Phil Easler // Aug 7, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I would love to have one. No pollution out of the tailpipe, recharging at home, perfect for daily use. When can we buy one here in the USA?
14 Spencer Martin // Aug 7, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Thank you Darrell, yes it was intentional. When some try to inflame they resort to linguistics and grammatical musings.
15 Darrell Mayeda // Aug 12, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Phil,
I think we have a plant here in Hawaii that has twice the range, AND it has a roof. It does look like an egg though, and doesn’t have a trunk. One of our city representatives got in trouble for plugging it in at work(I’m serious) I’m not sure about the shipping charges.
16 Darrell Mayeda // Aug 12, 2007 at 9:11 pm
OOPs, one thing I forgot. It’s an ELECTRIC vehicle so the speed and mileage sucks. This was a few years ago so hopefully they made a few improvements to it.
17 Maria // Mar 29, 2008 at 12:56 pm
It all depends on what you are looking for, but if you are looking for real good electric cars have alook at zap.
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