Daimler Smart fortwo Electric Drive Introduced to US Market

If you’ve been considering buying an electric vehicle or a hybrid car, you’ll want to take note of Daimler's smart fortwo electric drive vehicle, introduced in the USA in June. The two-seater builds on the past success of the smart brand, with an electric drive inside and the same exterior looks and interior spaciousness found in earlier models.

Touting the smart fortwo as “the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid, gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S.,” smart USA cites an EPA gas mileage estimate of 33 in the city and 41 on the highway. The company plans to distribute a 250-vehicle fleet of smart fortwo electric drive cars nationwide this autumn. Smart USA is targeting key cities, companies, groups and individuals to serve as partners for placements who will encourage the values of conservation and environmental stewardship promoted by the coming consumer-driven wave of hybrid and electric vehicle usage. These partnerships will be announced in late 2010. Actual production for consumer sales of smart fortwo will begin in 2012 for the 2013 model.

The smart fortwo comes in three models, the pure coup, the passion coupe, and the passion cabriolet. The base pure car has standard features such as a transmission with manual or automatic mode, leather steering wheel, remote locks, and more. Features such as power windows, alloy wheels and AC are optional. The smart fortwo passion coupe and passion cabriolet have more standard features included in their base packages. Base prices for a smart fortwo electric vehicle range from $11,990 to $16,990.

You may be able to view the smart fortwo close up as it tours the US on a street tour. It joins a growing family of hybrid and electric vehicle choices from other manufacturers like Mitsubishi and Nissan. Ford has also produced a truck, the Transit Connect Electric, that is an electric vehicle with top speeds of 75 mph and an 80-mile range.