Electric vehicle is smart alternative

A Cenex product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 21, 2006

Cenex has given the thumbs up to the first electric vehicle version of the iconic Smart Fourtwo, launched at the British International Motor Show by Daimler Chrysler UK.

Cenex, the UK's national centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, has given the thumbs up to the first electric vehicle (EV) version of the iconic Smart Fourtwo, launched at the British International Motor Show by Daimler Chrysler UK (DCUK).

Among a raft of commitments to the project, Cenex will allocate direct funding to the UK pilot programme to support market development in both the public and private sector operators.

The UK has been selected by DCUK to undertake a market trial of 100 to 200 full battery-electric Smart electric vehicles.

Cenex will use the project as a testbed for the concepts that underpin its work on forward commitment (advanced procurement) projects.

Cenex is keen to be a partner in the project as a means of assisting the ongoing development of a UK automotive supply chain for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

With 30kW output the Smart EV sets a new benchmark in electric vehicles in that it can sustain a top speed of 113km/h (electronically limited) and offers even better in town performance than its petrol powered stable mate.

A contract with London property agent Knight Frank has already been secured by Smart, and Cenex is committed to assembling additional fleet trials for the Smart EVs, commencing in late 2006 and early 2007.

"This is exactly the kind of project that Cenex was formed to support", said Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex.

"This is a pioneering initiative which directly assists the UK's automotive supply chain for low carbon vehicle technologies and Cenex looks forward to working with DaimlerChrysler and the many customer fleets interested to operate Smart EVs".

"This pilot will undoubtedly help validate the proposition that low carbon vehicle technologies can meet or exceed customer's operational requirements whilst simultaneously delivering big gains in environmental performance".

"We would encourage all vehicle manufacturers to take these kinds of steps on the road to sustainable mobility".

As a key project partner, Cenex will work with vehicle operators and Smart to determine the applicability of forward commitment processes as a means of verifying that Smart EVs can meet customer's operational needs.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes Car Group said: "We believe it's important to explore all avenues to sustainable mobility and that's why were launching the Smart EV".

"Our partnership with Cenex not only provides financial support but also the uptake of vehicles through its public procurement initiatives".

"Cenex will support this pilot by assisting the project team in developing individual field trials that help place the 100 vehicles".

Compared with conventional vehicle and engine technologies, low carbon and fuel cell technologies can reduce fuel use and the transport-related greenhouse gas emissions that are currently contributing to global warming and climate change.

The desirability of zero emission vehicles in densely populated city centres has led local governments to offer incentives for EV use such as congestion charge exemption and free parking in London.

The successful exploitation of the business opportunities afforded by low carbon and fuel cell technologies therefore offers both environmental and economic benefits.