When Daimler first launched the Smart Ed, the electric version of the Fortwo, its performance was apropos of its acronymized appellation: somewhat limp. Daimler has since improved it somewhat – the 3rd generation on sale now goes from 0 to 60 in 13 seconds and tops out at 75 mph – but we still can't help but wonder how the program would have been received had it packed a wheel-popping punch from the start. Like, say, the Smart DIY conversion pictured above.
Yan, known as Yabert to the folks who haunt the DIY Electric Car forum, already had a very cool motorcycle conversion under his belt when he decided to try his hand at something just a bit bigger than his electrified Suzuki DRZ 400 SM. Enter the "Smart DC." Following a similar formula to the one he used for his bike, he yanked all the gasoline-burning bits and started replacing them with electric drive components.
As with most things in life, things go wrong. Among them, the original 11" DC forklift motor and some battery cells were destroyed, but with perseverance and a little time, the two-seater is now in service as a daily commuter with sporty performance.
The drivetrain is currently comprised of a Netgain Impulse 9 mated to a Volkswagen transmission, with the power passing through a Evnetics Soliton controller from a 12.3-kWh battery pack made of Headway lithium iron phosphate (LifePo4) cells. It gets between 40 and 60 miles per charge, and has a top speed estimated at around 100 miles per hour. It scoots from 0 to 60 mph in about six seconds.
If ever you had the urge to try your hand at your own conversion, Yan's build thread has lots of pictures and is well worth spending some time checking out. Scroll down to see the Smart DC in action on the snow-packed roads of his native Québec, along with a bonus video featuring his electric motorcycle.
Yan, known as Yabert to the folks who haunt the DIY Electric Car forum, already had a very cool motorcycle conversion under his belt when he decided to try his hand at something just a bit bigger than his electrified Suzuki DRZ 400 SM. Enter the "Smart DC." Following a similar formula to the one he used for his bike, he yanked all the gasoline-burning bits and started replacing them with electric drive components.
As with most things in life, things go wrong. Among them, the original 11" DC forklift motor and some battery cells were destroyed, but with perseverance and a little time, the two-seater is now in service as a daily commuter with sporty performance.
The drivetrain is currently comprised of a Netgain Impulse 9 mated to a Volkswagen transmission, with the power passing through a Evnetics Soliton controller from a 12.3-kWh battery pack made of Headway lithium iron phosphate (LifePo4) cells. It gets between 40 and 60 miles per charge, and has a top speed estimated at around 100 miles per hour. It scoots from 0 to 60 mph in about six seconds.
If ever you had the urge to try your hand at your own conversion, Yan's build thread has lots of pictures and is well worth spending some time checking out. Scroll down to see the Smart DC in action on the snow-packed roads of his native Québec, along with a bonus video featuring his electric motorcycle.
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