What is it? A concept vehicle based on the Smart ForTwo that uses a lithium-ion battery. Smart ran a test program in London using the previous-generation Smart as the basis for the electric vehicle. They leased vehicles to participants for four years, with the program ending in 2012. In addition, another program is being run in Berlin in a joint partnership to provide 500 charging stations throughout the city.
What's new or notable? The use of a lithium-ion battery is the big news here. Like what Mini is doing in New York and New Jersey by leasing the MiniE, Smart is gathering data with test programs in Europe.
When will it be available? Production of the ForTwo electric drive will start in late 2009, with smart currently "exploring opportunities for the United States market."
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