e-Mobility Italy: electric drive Smarts get a taste for pasta

Daimler is expanding the e-mobility test program that will launch in Berlin in 2009 to Italy. 100 Smart ForTwo ED models will go into service in Rome, Milan and Italy in 2010. Italian power provider Enel will set up a network of 400 smart charging stations in those three cities. Daimler will supply and maintain the cars while Enel will provide the electricity from renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and geothermal. The Enel charging stations will be able to get identification data from the car when it's plugged in, allowing the operator of the vehicle to be billed directly for the electricity used. The charging infrastructure will also be able to communicate remotely with vehicles allowing drivers to locate available charging points.

[Source: Enel]