Smart USA Delivers First ForTwo Electric Vehicle in the US

Smart ForTwo EV

smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., delivered the first smart fortwo electric drive to a retail customer in the United States.

The smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a 30 kW magneto-electric motor and 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the US EPA LA4 test cycle, the smart fortwo electric drive can travel up to 98 miles (158 km) on a full charge. In combined city and highway driving, the US EPA estimates the range on the smart fortwo electric drive to be 63 miles (101 km). Using a 220 volt outlet, it takes three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80% of its capacity and about eight hours to reach full charge from a depleted battery.

This year, smart USA is placing 250 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles across the United States with selected companies, municipalities, organizations and individuals. Series production on next-generation vehicles for retail sale through smart USA’s dealer network is expected in 2012.

The first member of smart’s Team 250 is Mindy Kimball, a 36-year-old early adopter of electric vehicle technology and a Major in the United States Army.

Source: Green Car Congress