Smart electric drives to improve

Smart cars may offer improved electric drives in the future, following real-life trials being conducted for their manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz.

Elektromotive, a Brighton-based provider of electric-vehicle (EV) recharging stations, has been selected as one of the UK companies trialling the Smart electric drive.

The trial will test Smart cars in ‘real-life’ situations that will give Mercedes-Benz the necessary data to shape the development of the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz have provided Elektromotive with a fully electric Smart to use over the next four years. Following this, Elektromotive will report back on the car’s battery performance, reliability and range.

The information will be evaluated by Smart as it moves towards small series production of the Smart electric drive in 2010.

Elektromotive believe the trial will also add to its ongoing research and development programme, helping it devise EV charging facilities for installation at the roadside, in car parks, at homes and in business premises.

‘The shift towards zero emissions motoring is fast gathering pace and it is vital that fully compatible recharging infrastructures for EVs are put in place across Europe,’ said Calvey Taylor-Haw, Elektromotive’s managing director.