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First smart ED Delivered in America

smart has delivered the first retail second-generation fortwo Electric Drive (ED) in the US. The new owner will actually be a leasee for the next four years, Mindy Kimball of Silver Spring, Maryland. The ceremonial delivery was made by Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske and smart USA President Jill Lajdziak.

“This is a groundbreaking day for smart in the United States. We are extremely excited to add the smart fortwo electric drive to the smart product lineup, solidifying our position as a key player in transportation electrification," said Lajdziak.

Kimball is a 36-year old activist of green transportation and a Major in the United States Army. She decided on the fortwo ED after careful deliberation and evaluation of the other electric cars on the market. Kimball is also a member of the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) of Washington, DC, and she will display her new car in the EVA/DC booth at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.

The smart fortwo ED is a zero-emisions vehicle powered by a 30 kW magneto-electric motor. Using a 220 volt outlet, it takes only three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity and about eight hours to reach full charge from a depleted battery. According to the official figures, the vehicle can travel up to 98 miles on a full charge, but in combined city and highway driving it is only estimated to have a range of 63 miles.

The company’s US division will place 250 such cars across the United States with companies, municipalities, organizations and individual owners.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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