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(Tue 23 Jun 09) smart has confirmed that its second-generation electric fortwo, known as the ed, will go into small-scale production, and that some examples will be coming to the UK early next year.
The new car won't be available for general sale, though. Like the previous model pictured above (which has been leased by fleet customers since December 2007), the second ed is simply taking part in a trial. What's different this time - apart from the fact that it has the newer body shape - is that the original sodium nickel chloride batteries have been replaced by lithium-ion ones which will increase the car's range and performance and reduce charging times. No firm date has yet been set for a public launch of the ed, but smart says that its intention is to achieve this goal around 2012. |
