Stuttgart
– Since mid November 2009 the new smart fortwo electric drive has been
rolling off the production line at the smart factory in Hambach,
France. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of
the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient
lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between
the axles, which means that neither the space nor the safety concept of
the intelligent two-seater vehicle are compromised in any way. A 30 kW
electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for good
acceleration with 120 Newton metres of torque immediately available and
high agility thanks to the no-shift electric drive. The smart fortwo
electric drive can be fully charged at any household socket for around
two euros. This enables it to travel around 135 kilometres – more than
enough in city traffic. The smart electric drive is the ideal
alternative for urban mobility with zero local emissions. To start
with, the new smart fortwo electric drive will be leased or rented to
select customers in Berlin and other cities in Europe and the USA. From
2012 it will be available to anyone interested.
Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director smart
brand, Head of Sales & Marketing smart says "In 1998 smart
revolutionised urban mobility with the unique smart fortwo vehicle
concept. Now smart is once again taking on a pioneering role and
redefining zero-emission urban mobility. We are the first manufacturer
in Europe to launch a series-produced electric vehicle in eight
countries at once. Daimler is spearheading electromobility with the
smart fortwo electric drive. The smart fortwo electric drive is a
further logical step in the evolution of the smart brand which already
boasts the fleet with the lowest fuel consumption of all manufacturers.
"Environmental compatibility and
state-of-the-art functionality have been defining features of the smart
fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then
its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking
technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over
two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park
perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and
environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet
consumption and it brings its occupants to their destination
comfortably and safely . Its unique design set it apart from all other
cars on the road and it quickly became an automotive lifestyle icon
that is completely at home in happening cities around the world.
smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun
Series production of the new smart fortwo
electric drive started in mid November and represents the logical
continuation of an ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered,
attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero
emission vehicle. In 2007 smart kicked off zero-emission motoring in
London with its tough city traffic conditions. Since then 100 smart
fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been used by
customers there in real-world conditions. The feedback from the UK
capital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity
of this vehicle concept.
In 2008 smart presented the concept for a second
generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive
with an innovative lithium-ion battery. This technology has decisive
advantages over other types of batteries including better performance,
shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc
Langenbrinck says "The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is
based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with cult character
and inherent resource-saving characteristics. Its innovative electric
battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile,
economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in
an urban environment has become a reality - without any compromises."
Electric drive factored in from the very first concept
The smart fortwo electric drive is a smart
fortwo that does not make any compromises with regard to safety,
comfort and space. Electric drives have been part of the smart concept
right from the start. The later integration of the components needed
for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example,
there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles
where the tank is usually located. That is why the electric drive
module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric
drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage
compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.
Powerful drive
An agile 30 kW magneto-electric motor is
installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts
directly without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newton metres is
immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power
when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 -
60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it
initially leaves behind it. After a year of driving the first
generation smart fortwo electric drive in everyday conditions on
British roads one of the participants in the large-scale London trial
said "You can beat anything at the lights". As the smart fortwo
electric drive has been designed primarily for urban mobility its
maximum speed has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h.
Thanks to the power characteristic of the
electric motor, just one single fixed gear ratio is needed. There is no
need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic.
To reverse, the engine's direction of rotation changes. "Fantastic and
easy to drive. You just get in, turn on and go" was how experienced
users from London summed up the smart fortwo electric drive.
The second generation smart fortwo electric
drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery with capacity of 16.5 kWh. It
can be charged at both normal household sockets and special charging
stations.
A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to
135 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough
for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30
- 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only
needs to be charged for around two hours. Plugging the car in overnight
will fully recharge an empty battery.
Together with other car manufacturers and
utility companies Daimler has developed a concept for a Europe-wide
standardised charging plug for a three-phase power grid and amperage of
up to 63 amps. The cooperation partners aim to create a mandatory
standard for charging stations for battery-powered vehicles in Europe
and worldwide. This global standardisation is an essential prerequisite
for setting up a smooth and functioning electricity charging
infrastructure so that electric vehicles are accepted by customers and
used across all vehicle classes.
Generation differences
|
First generation smart fortwo electric drive |
Second generation smart fortwo electric drive |
|
In everyday use in London since 2007 |
Production of a total of 1000 vehicles underway since the end of 2009 |
|
Battery: NaNiCL, works at 280 degrees and therefore needs to be heated. Also has an insulated casing like a thermos flask. |
Battery: lithium-ion, works at normal
temperatures. More useable energy with the same size. The same battery
size as for the 450 was chosen. The range has increased from 100 km to
135 km |
|
Power output: 20 kW |
Power output 20 kW plus peak power output of 30
kW for approximately 2 minutes. The peak power can be called up with
the kickdown function. |
Intelligent charging management
The smart fortwo electric drive is the first
electric car worldwide to feature intelligent i.e. "smart" charging
management. The smart fortwo electric drive's on-board electronics
enable all relevant information – such as the electricity contract
identification data – to be exchanged with the power grid. Among other
things this enables convenient, simple and secure billing at all times.
Customers receive a single electricity bill only from their own utility
company - regardless of where they get the electricity for their smart
from and who supplies it. As a further function drivers are able to
monitor the status of the charging process and therefore the current
range of the smart electric drive anywhere and at any time, for example
via an iPhone.
Moreover, the vehicle electronics form the basis
for features to be implemented in the smart fortwo electric drive in
future such as the possibility of actively controlling the charging
process - for example, by retrieving the maximum available amount of
power whilst the vehicle is stationary and the corresponding
electricity costs from the utility company. This enables the most
economical charging strategy for the vehicle to be calculated. If the
electric smart is parked for a longer period of time, the car can be
recharged when cheaper electricity is available, for example during the
night.
With its various billing, control and monitoring
functions the intelligent interface in the car ensures extremely
customer-friendly electromobility that is convenient and safe.
Electronics optimise the battery charge status and power consumption
A special battery management system constantly
monitors the voltage, electricity and temperature. If one of these
parameters reaches a specified limit – for example when driving uphill
at constant peak power (kickdown) – then the electronics will reduce
the power output in a way that the driver will barely notice. This
rules out the risk of battery overload.
The electronics also monitor the charging
process and control the capacity display. The vehicle's power
electronics supply the 12-volt on-board electrical system with electric
current from the high voltage battery via a DC/DC converter. In
addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for
example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Drivers of a smart
fortwo electric drive can pre-air condition their smart fortwo electric
drive as long as their vehicle is being charged at home or at a
charging station. No other car offers this comfortable option.
Extensive equipment
The new second generation smart fortwo electric
drive is based on the successful smart fortwo coupé/cabrio with
extensive equipment. As well as air conditioning with automatic
temperature control and pre-air conditioning, the equipment includes
smart radio 9, electric power steering, electric windows, electrically
adjustable and heated door mirrors, a two-spoke leather steering wheel,
leather gear knob and 12-spoke alloy wheels. In addition to the battery
indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy.
Furthermore, all new generation smart fortwo electric drives feature
green wheel rims, door mirror caps and contrast components and a green
tridion cell. The words "electric drive" on the rear and in the mirror
triangle also draw attention to the vehicle's environmentally friendly
drive.
Very low costs
Based on the average electricity price in
Germany, the smart fortwo electric drive can travel 100 kilometres for
around 2 euros (in other European countries or with cheap off-peak
electricity the costs can be even lower). This is less than the price
of two litres of petrol. The maintenance costs are considerably lower
than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor
and other components of the electric drive are practically
maintenance-free.
In addition to the low running costs, there are
further cost advantages in lots of countries and cities. For example,
drivers of a smart fortwo electric drive are entitled to national
subsidies, tax advantages or exemption from local toll charges such as
the city centre congestion charge in London. A further example: Monaco
gives a subsidy of up to 9000 euros towards the purchase of an electric
vehicle.
smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA
From the end of 2009 the second generation smart
fortwo electric drive will be delivered to customers who will drive the
vehicles for a period of four years. The first vehicles will take to
the roads of Berlin where Daimler AG is currently creating ideal
conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions
within the framework of the project " e-mobility Berlin" in cooperation
with the utility company RWE and with the support of the German
government and the city of Berlin. This includes establishing a network
of electricity charging stations where vehicles can be charged as an
alternative to charging them at home.
From 2010 a total of 1000 new generation smart
fortwo electric drives will take to the roads of Paris, Rome, Milan,
Pisa, Madrid, Hamburg and Switzerland, and they will also be deployed
in further projects in Europe and the USA. There is already a very
lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it
will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range
and sold via the smart dealer network.
More than ten years ago the smart fortwo
revolutionised individual mobility. The electric variant of the cult
two-seater car is now redefining city driving once more. The brand is
demonstrating its role as a trendsetter and its technical innovation.
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