Smart Fourtwo EV arrives in Sept 2010

It's not about fuel anymore, crack open the fuel filler door and your greeted with a plugin socket. This is the newest model of the Smart Fourtwo and it has no gasoline or diesel engine, its a full electric vehicle or EV.  

Instead of a fuel tank it has Lithium Ion cells protected under the floor by the body shell.  Those cells provide a range of 135 km range which can be extended by more than 30% due to brake regeneration.  Maximum velocity is 100 kph.
Take a seat behind the wheel and when you reach for the gear selector you don't get your regular transmission.  It utilizes a single speed motor, which means 3 modes are available.  You start in N for Neutral, Shift into D to drive forwards and when you want to back into a spot you have the R gear.  Simple.

As with most EV's, you'll be able to recharge fully in 7-8 hours, but if your only out for 50 km then you can recharge in 3 hours time from a 220 volt power source.  Once quick charge stations are available in cities you'll be able to juice up in less than 20 minutes.  Expect to pay around .2-3 cents per km for transport.

In forward thinking urban centre's you even exempt from congestion charges or parking fees.  Now I don't know anybody who would be unhappy about that.  Select customers will be able purchase this car later this year, while in 2012 anybody can walk into a Smart Dealership and buy one.