Leftlane first broke the news that Daimler was planning two new electric vehicles earlier this week, and on Friday Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche confirmed the electric car program. As we reported, one vehicle will be an electric version of the company’s Smart car while the other will be badged and sold as a Mercedes-Benz.
Moreover, both cars will make it to market quicker than originally thought. According to Zetsche, both models will hit the market in 2010. “We plan an electric Smart for 2010 and for the same year a Mercedes (electric) model as well,” Zetsche told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitun.
Zetsche didn’t reveal if the all-electric Mercedes model would be based on a current car or an all-new platform, but it’s likely that Mercedes will electrify either its A-Class or B-Class.
Dr. Z also kept mum about possible pricing, citing the car’s batteries will be the final determinate. According to Automotive News, the Mercedes electric car will use lithium-ion batteries.
As previously noted, Daimler already has a fleet of 100 electric Smart cars testing in London.
06/20, 5:59 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I want one with an onboard internal nuclear reactor.
06/20, 6:30 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
How about one that runs on peanuts.
06/20, 6:39 PM
posted by:
corvette
Smart just take after the flinstones, open up the bottom so we can use our feet.
06/20, 11:18 PM
posted by:
TomF
I want a car that runs on the same batteries as my personal nose hair trimmer.
06/20, 11:29 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
C’mon TomF, grow a pair and pl*ck ‘em like a f*ckin’ man with a fifth of Scotch and a pair of rusty needle nose.
06/21, 9:44 AM
posted by:
elviososa
I want something like the one in the IRON MAN…..!
06/21, 3:16 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
It’s Saturday, just past noon, and there has been no Camaro story today. What gives????
06/21, 6:16 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Will they be leased, or actually sold? I’ve heard this from nearly every automaker, from GM to BMW, but their all leases. It’s all dicking around until large production numbers and an almost completely individually owned vehicle, point blank.
06/21, 11:22 PM
posted by:
jdasch1
I will buy one if they build it. Mercedes will go all out to build a product they can defend. It will be expensive but who cares.
06/23, 7:48 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Smart Electric car is already around in testing.
Vicky Butler-Henderston loves it, but then again outlines its flaws… Flaws which I can’t deal with. Like 8 hour charge and 71 mile range… f*** that!
06/23, 12:24 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Lithium Ion batteries charge to 80% in the first 1/4 of the charge time, so 80% charge in 2 hours. There are other companies making EV versions of the Smart ForTwo, like the LiV DASH from Hybrid Technologies, that get over 100 miles per charge. The LiV DASH is newer in production than the Smart ForTwo ED (the version being tested in England and the one that will be brought here in 2010), so therefore the battery technology is a bit newer and better. I’m sure by the time MB brings it here in 2010, they will incorporate better battery technology, and we could see 120 miles range and 4 hour full charge. Remember, 80% charge in the first 1/4 of the charge time.
Still, my commute to work is only a few miles. 71 mile range would actually get me to and from work for nearly three weeks without charging. I’m lucky, of course, but I’m sure the majority doesn’t travel 71 miles to work every day. That would be terrible, anyway. But if you did, you’d need to charge at home, and charge at work. It’s not like you have anywhere to go during the time you are working and sleeping, so I don’t see why 8 hour charge is that big of a deal. I’d just plug mine in at night, wake up, shower, change, eat, unplug and go to work. No need to stop and get gas. I just hope my AC on high (I live in the hot desert) and my loud music don’t shorten my range too much…