The smart fortwo Electric Drive

Since it’s launch in 1998 smart has seen unprecedented levels of success in the ultra-compact car segment. The whole concept of the company centres around innovation and smart are almost ready to launch their most innovative model yet, the smart fortwo electric drive.

Although electric drive is an avenue that other manufacturers have already ventured down smart did not want to bring a product to the market that did not follow its ethos of innovation and practicality, while other manufacturers rushed electric models with impractical mileage ranges to the market smart instead carried out the UKs biggest ever electric drive trial.

In 2011 smart delivered 100 smart fortwo electric drive models to customers across London and the South-East. The aim of the trial was to gain an understanding of the potential of electric vehicles, research consumer attitudes and perceptions and to inform developments to the smart electric drive vehicle before the car goes into full production later this year.

The outcome of the trial was extremely positive, smart took onboard trial recommendations and improved the charging facility, creating a quick-charge concept and changing the battery to increase it’s range to 84 miles.

Here at Hughes we have got our hands on an exclusive pre-production phase two vehicle available for customer test drive today, months ahead of the official phase three model coming later in 2012.