Autoblog

Smart bringing electric scooter to U.S. in 2014, will be part of Car2go

Matt Davis — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Smart, Electric

In a blink-and-you'd-miss-it announcement during an event in Berlin, the head of marketing and sales for Smart, Martin Hülder, told us that the third model in the Smart e-Mobility range - after the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive and eBike - will be the Smart electric scooter (or "smart scooter"). To be fair, the original announcement happened in mid-May at a shindig in Davos, Switzerland, but Daimler had some new news for us in Berlin.

The stylish two-wheeler was first shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show but was whisked into limbo from there, presumably to end up a no-go along with several previous ideas from the traditionally cash-burning company. Instead, the scooter has gotten the green light and the United States is a key market for it.

To rehash the features of the silent plug-in runabout, a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack stored down low behind your feet supplies juice to a 4-kW (i.e. 5.4 horsepower) wheel-hub electric motor at the rear wheel. Top speed is listed at 45 km/h or 28 mph - a choice by Smart that allows the scooter to be driven on streets in many countries before one has a driver's license.

Continue reading Smart bringing electric scooter to U.S. in 2014, will be part of Car2go

Smart bringing electric scooter to U.S. in 2014, will be part of Car2go originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forget Zipcar - Smart reportedly readying car2go car-sharing program in Texas

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Smart

Steers and Smarts - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Daimler announced in March it would bring the tiny Smart car to the big state of Texas through its car-sharing service car2go. At the time, the German automaker declared that entering the Austin market with 200 ForTwos was "the next logical step." Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche now thinks that the car share program is also a good way to boost sales numbers, which have dropped recently.

Smart's U.S. sales were down 70.4 percent last month compared to October 2008, and only 661 ForTwos were sold in the U.S. last month. In Austin, as in the first car2go location of Ulm, Germany, the shared cars will initially only be available to city employees. Expansion to other residents - and then to other cities - is expected once the demand is there. Make that if demand is there.

Gallery: smart fortwo in Texas and Germany

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Forget Zipcar - Smart reportedly readying car2go car-sharing program in Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler's Car2Go program coming to Austin, Texas this fall

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hatchback, Daimler, Smart, Lifestyle

Last October we advised you not to hold your breath for Daimler's Car2Go program to come to America. You can breathe again. If you live in Austin, Texas you'll be able to rent a mild hybrid Smart ForTwo by the minute this fall. Austin was chosen because of its university population and its concern for the environment.

Car2Go makes its fleet available on-demand, with a clear price structure, and you can keep the car as long as you wish. Those in the program access the vehicles by swiping a tag on their driver's licenses over a card reader on the car. As with the pilot program in Ulm, Germany the service will start in Austin with an initial fleet, expected to consist of around 200 Smarts that will be available to city employees first and then expand to public use at the conclusion of a trial period.

Gallery: smart fortwo in Texas and Germany

[Source: Canadian Driver]

Daimler's Car2Go program coming to Austin, Texas this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler's car2go: Rent a Smart anywhere, anytime

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Europe, Green, Daimler, Smart, Lifestyle

Click above for high-res shots of Daimler's car2go service

Cars represent freedom, right? Sure, but shouldn't that same freedom be available to those who can't justify purchasing their own car? Daimler thinks so, and has created a new pilot program called car2go that allows subscribers to rent a smart fortwo for just 19-cents a minute or less, depending on how long you need the car. The initial roll-out is taking place in Ulm, Germany and begins October 24. The cars can be reserved at a moment's notice from the internet, a mobile phone or in passing using an electronic chip that's given to the user upon the account's creation. There are no limits as to how far the car car be driven, and it can be parked and relocked wherever the driver's trip ends as long as it's within the city limits.

At the outset, there will be 50 smart fortwo's in use by car2go. For a trial period, only Daimler employees will be able to use the service, but the automaker hopes to expand to all Ulm citizens in the spring of 2009. We imagine the car2go service will expand into other locations based on how successful this pilot program proves to be, but don't hold your breath for smart rentals in the U.S. anytime soon.

Gallery: Daimler car2go

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Daimler's car2go: Rent a Smart anywhere, anytime

Daimler's car2go: Rent a Smart anywhere, anytime originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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