In Europe, there's also a diesel version, but US emissions laws are too tough for most euro diesels. It's a shame too, because they get awesome mileage.

I don't guess the Smart is a road trip kinda car, but with an electric motor, you're almost certain to be stuck in the city. Pros and cons, I guess.

"all helping us all to abandon old-fashioned fossil fuels once and for all

Okay genius, how do you think the electricity to charge those batteries is going to be generated?

That's right, by burning coal.

The first 3 years that the Smart ForTwo was on sale in Canada it had a turbo diesel engine too. I get 4.2 litres/ 100km (~65 miles/gallon).

I finally saw my first Smart car on the road, and it just happened to try to drag race me at a stoplight - and I was in a Corvette! I guess size doesn't really matter but that driver had some huge balls. Not sure what he was thinking or trying to prove although if his point was that slamming your foot down on a Smart car accelerator pedal would give you somewhat respectable acceleration then he made his point. But at what cost? He's gonna need an engine overhaul if he keeps that up. I was also impresssed that the thing actually made it to 55 miles per hour but it just didn't look very safe navigating the huge pot holes on that road. I salute you, Mr. little blue Smart car aggressive accelerating guy!

Here in British Columbia Canada our electricity from clean hydro generation. I can't wait for these cars, I was so pissed when Smart kept pushing back the dates, I was this close to building an electric smart myself. But I'll give them one more year to make good on there word. Velva la EV revolution!!!!!!!!

@Tolbert "That's right, by burning coal."

Really? That's the only way to create energy? What about wind turbines, or hydro-based sources?

Find a small niche to load a honda generator aboard and you could have your own hybrid. The hondas are extremely quiet and fuel effecient. The one on my boat will charge batteries, and run the house a/c power, and can run up to 12 hours on a gallon of gas. It runs 4 hours at full load. Assuming around town driving at 30 mph that would equate to 120 mpg.

Is it good for a long road trip? With an electric motor, you're almost certain to be stuck in the city. It might become a Bloody Car for you because you will never know until when this car's battery gets going.

in response to TOLBERT , If you knew anything about the EV market you would know that even using coal to power electricity the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is far reduced when compared with a lifetime of ICE vehicle emissions. You would also know that ICE vehicle emissions make up about 70% of respiratory disease in major cities.Maybe you should learn a bit more before you rant on like a knowitall

I hope smart car will be in Asia. Smart Cars is one of the best safest car.