Daimler's smart fortwo electric drive city car will be powered by Tesla technology. This what the California-based electric sports car maker announced on January 14 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit according to the British Newspress agency.
Four days earlier, a smart fortwo electric drive prototype had been unveiled for the first time in the US at a press conference held outside of the NAIAS. At the time, it was announced that, at the end of 2009 smart would start production of the fortwo electric drive with a lithium-ion battery, and that the company was exploring opportunities for the United States market.
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk said his company will supply the battery pack and charger for 1,000 smart EVs, which will go on sale in the US in 2010. And it could lead to mass production of an electric smart by 2012.
"If the 1,000 vehicle fleet makes sense and the economics are compelling, that will expand to tens of thousands of vehicles per year," said Musk.
In Detroit, Tesla showed its Roadster model, which is based on the Lotus Elise platform and sells for $109,000. So far, according to Tesla official, more than 150 Roadsters have been delivered to customers since production started in March 2008, and about 1,100 people are on a waiting list.
Musk detailed the company's ambitious plans to develop a range of EV models, including a new sedan, the Tesla S, with a family of different body styles to follow including a crossover, wagon and minivan. This sedan would cost around $50,000 and would have a 225-mile range on a single charge of its Lithium Ion batteries.
Musk also wants to build a factory costing between $300-400 million in San Jose, California. It would be capable of building 20,000 cars a year. However, he is looking for Government loans to help it proceed with the project.
Elon Musk founded Tesla in 2004. He is also one of the founders of the online payment service PayPal.
photo:Tesla, Daimler
Four days earlier, a smart fortwo electric drive prototype had been unveiled for the first time in the US at a press conference held outside of the NAIAS. At the time, it was announced that, at the end of 2009 smart would start production of the fortwo electric drive with a lithium-ion battery, and that the company was exploring opportunities for the United States market.
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| smart fortwo electric drive |
Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk said his company will supply the battery pack and charger for 1,000 smart EVs, which will go on sale in the US in 2010. And it could lead to mass production of an electric smart by 2012.
"If the 1,000 vehicle fleet makes sense and the economics are compelling, that will expand to tens of thousands of vehicles per year," said Musk.
In Detroit, Tesla showed its Roadster model, which is based on the Lotus Elise platform and sells for $109,000. So far, according to Tesla official, more than 150 Roadsters have been delivered to customers since production started in March 2008, and about 1,100 people are on a waiting list.
Musk detailed the company's ambitious plans to develop a range of EV models, including a new sedan, the Tesla S, with a family of different body styles to follow including a crossover, wagon and minivan. This sedan would cost around $50,000 and would have a 225-mile range on a single charge of its Lithium Ion batteries.
Musk also wants to build a factory costing between $300-400 million in San Jose, California. It would be capable of building 20,000 cars a year. However, he is looking for Government loans to help it proceed with the project.
Elon Musk founded Tesla in 2004. He is also one of the founders of the online payment service PayPal.
photo:Tesla, Daimler