The Smart ED is cute and cool, but has serious limitations

The Smart ED is the electric version of the Smart ForTwo—with a top speed of 60 miles per hour—is unlikely to shake the car’s bad rap for being underpowered. Worse yet, the lack of size, range and oomph feeds into the perception of electric cars as glorified golf carts. Smart has not committed to bringing the Smart ED to the United States.

More details and specs in the full review

Rinspeed Takes Aim at Electric Car Range Anxiety with Dock+Go Concept

By Eric Loveday ·
December 08, 2011

Swiss firm Rinspeed aims to solve the "range anxiety" issue associated with electric vehicles with its range-extending Dock+Go concept. The Dock+Go system is unique in that it's specifically designed to match the electric vehicle that it will be fitted to. Additionally, Dock+Go is easily detached when its range-extending capabilities aren't required.

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Third-Generation Electric smart Car Adds Power, And a Bike

By Laurent J. Masson ·
August 16, 2011

The motor from the third-generation car offers 55 kw with 96 lbs-ft of torque. That's up from the second-generation, which makes 30 kW with 88-lbs/ft of torque. That's a big improvement. The manufacturer says acceleration 0-to-62-mph is down to 13 seconds.

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Nissan LEAF Sales Zoom Ahead of Chevy Volt

By Brad Berman ·
June 01, 2011

The sales race between the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt for leading electric car has been neck-and-neck most of this year. But in May, Nissan pulled way ahead of G.M. tallying 1,142 sales of the LEAF, while Volt sales remained flat at 481 units. The total number of sales of both vehicles is essentially equal—2,184 units for the Volt and 2,167 units for the LEAF. Yet, all eyes are on the emerging pattern now that both companies have had six months to ramp up production, and begin working toward annual sales targets.

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Discussions

Wanted: Fair Costs for Electric Car Home Charger Installations

Article · comments

Josie Garthwaite says:
As a new generation of plug-in vehicles rolls off the assembly line, a new cadre of consumers has entered the market...

Third-Generation Electric smart Car Adds Power, And a Bike

Article · comments

Laurent J. Masson says:
The motor from the third-generation car offers 55 kw with 96 lbs-ft of torque. That's up from the second-generation,...

EV Fest 2012: September 9, 2012

Discussion · comments

EV Fest says:
I Selected a pick of some of the Vehicle I Think should be attending EV Fest Electric Vehicle Show...

The Essential Facts about the Second-Generation All-Electric Smart ED

Blog Post · comments

Brad Berman says:
Size of battery, rate of accleration, top speed, range, and the other core credentials for Smart's electric micro-car.

Rinspeed Takes Aim at Electric Car Range Anxiety with Dock+Go Concept

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
Swiss firm Rinspeed aims to solve the "range anxiety" issue associated with electric vehicles with its range-extending...

For EV Charging, You Can’t Beat Free

Article · comments

John Gartner says:
The San Francisco Bay Area and eight cities will receive nearly 5,000 charging stations and residential charging...

Your opinion of the Smart ED

Discussion · comments

blackpro says:
I wanted to post this to get an idea of other people's opinion of this car. Personally I like the...

Nissan LEAF Sales Zoom Ahead of Chevy Volt

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
The sales race between the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt for leading electric car has been neck-and-neck most of this year...

Electric Smart ForTwo Plans Unclear as Smart USA Merges with Mercedes

Article · comments

Nick Chambers says:
After dismal U.S. sales under the Penske Automotive Group, the Smart USA brand is heading for the comfortable territory...

Exclusive: Daimler’s Director of Fuel Cells and Battery-Drive Explains Cautious Approach

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
Last week, I took a spin in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell car, on the San Francisco leg of the “F...

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