Following successful trials in the UK, the iconic, zero-emission, smart fortwo electric drive is ready for small series production.

Reaction from customers taking part in the UK trial, including the Metropolitan Police, universities, local councils, architects and energy companies, has proved so encouraging that smart’s parent company, Daimler AG, can confirm that the smart electric drive will go into small series production, with cars coming to the UK in early 2010. The second generation smart electric drive will also be taking part in projects in Rome, Milan and Paris. Several cities in the US are also due to start trials of the fully electric car and the invaluable feedback will be incorporated into the development of future production models.

Featuring a lithium-ion battery the second generation smart electric drive’s power source will have a longer range, boast a shorter charging time and will give improved performance. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see manufacturers like smart leading the way to make the electric vehicle an easy choice for Londoners. The move to electric vehicles, which emit zero pollution on London’s streets, will have a massive impact on cutting carbon emissions to curb climate change whilst improving air quality and noise levels for our citizens.”

Kulveer Ranger, Mayor’s director of transport, said: “The Mayor and I are working with manufacturers through the London Electric Vehicle Partnership and urge the entire car industry to invest in this technology. Not only can we create green collar jobs but also smooth the way for less polluting transport choices which will improve our air quality, reduce traffic noise and contribute significantly to the Mayor’s ambitious carbon emissions reduction target.”

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “smart have been leading the way in pioneering environmentally friendly, sustainable concepts for future mobility and we’re delighted that the UK trial is proving to be so successful. The smart electric drive is exempt from vehicle excise duty and the London congestion charge and this, underlined with incredibly low operating costs, means that companies taking part in the trial are finding it makes perfect fiscal sense.”

New to the United States for 2008, the Smart Fortwo’s predecessor has sold more than 770,000 units in other parts of the world since 1998. Not practical for highway driving, the Fortwo is primarily for city driving, achieving 33 miles per gallon. Only a foot longer than an E-Z-GO golf cart and 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper, this compact little car is just a little too long to park perpendicular to a vehicle like the Ford Expedition.

Seating two people with modest cargo space, the 2008 Smart Fortwo comes in two body styles; Pure and Passion. The convertible Cabrio is only for the Passion trim. The standard Pure has 15-inch wheels, a leather steering wheel, keyless entry and an electric rear window defroster. Optional for the Pure are power steering, alloy wheels, power windows, air-conditionings and a radio. The Passion adds on power heated side mirrors, a panorama glass roof, sport steering wheel with shift paddles and a CD player. The Passion Cabrio convertible has an MP3-contabile in-dash six-CD changer for its upgraded stereo and a manually operated canvas roof.

Most remarkable for the 70-horsepower, 1.0-liter I-3 engine is the Fortwo’s safety features. The Tridion safety cell, which is the car’s cage of high-strength steel, allows extreme impacts equally to or better than much larger cars. Other safety system features include antilock brakes, brake assist, side airbags, stability control and traction control.