Electric city car to be given road trials
Sun 16 July 2006
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A new electric prototype of Daimler-Chrysler's Smart city car could provide a breakthrough for the commercial viability of cars powered by electricity, the makers claim.
Daimler Chrysler and Zytek are starting production of up to 200 battery powered Smarts capable of travelling at a 70mph top speed and with a 72 miles range, according to a report in the Financial Times. The cars can be recharged through a conventional 3-pin socket.
CENEX, the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies will provide funding to support the UK trials of the electric Smart.
The cars, powered by a liquid sodium nickel chloride battery, will be used in a four-year trial to assess their durability and usage patterns. A number of organisations with an interest in reducing the environmental impact of their car fleet activities have already agreed - or are expected - to take part in the trials including: Knight Frank, a London-based estate agency, Lloyds Pharmacy, Refurb-A-Sash and City Car Club, based in central London.
Any companies with an interest in participating in the trials should contact CENEX.
Related Links
Greener Wheels website - story link
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