If the new ForTwo plug-in offers a Smart price
Significantly cheaper than the Mitsubishi i plug-in?
The tiny plug-in electric just might make sense
In the Spring of 2012, Smart will offer the third generation ForTwo electric vehicle that uses a new lithium-ion battery, developed by Daimlers’ Deutsche Accumotive joint venture with Evonik Industries AG, replacing the battery pack currently supplied by Tesla. Thanks to the new battery, the ForTwo will offer 87 miles of range — 5 more than the previous model — and a 33-horsepower increase.
But it’s the price that most interests me.
To date, Smart gasoline vehicles have been overpriced based on both their fuel economy and size. Can this new ForTwo EV provide a compelling case versus the competition? Minimally, the ForTwo has to be cheaper than the Mitsubishi i plug-in — maybe a good bit cheaper based on the size difference.
Anyway, outside of the battery pack, some of the biggest changes were smart. Owners will be able to use smart phones, the Internet, etc. to start the pre-air conditioning capability, for instance, or to manage a number of SmartCharging features. Of course, that’s to be expected in any plug-in offering today.
Overall, Smart plans to produce 20,000 ForTwo EVs that will be sold in up to 30 markets throughout the world.
Can tiny EVs offer a Smart case for success? If the price is right.
Source: Smart
In my estimation, a regular Smart Car is not worth more than $5,000. And I wouldn’t pay more than $7,500 for a Smart EV.
A 10K plug-in that goes 50 miles on a charge and can recharge in about 30 minutes will find an enthusiastic market but probably not in soccer moms or 5th wheel camper enthusiasts but may probably become the defacto “dinghy” car for bus motorhomes.
At some point – the Prius is going to start to look like a “large” car, eh?