Daimler AG appointed Vectrix, a manufacturer of bicycles in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA, as a partner to manufacture electric scooters with "Smart" trademark. This electric scooter was developed as urban area vehicles that are environmentally friendly. Smart and Vectrix become pioneers to make electric vehicles in the United States.
Smart eScooter will be an icon of urban transportation, as Smart ForTwo. Support of Daimler AG is very important, considering the major motorcycle manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki is ready to produce electric scooters within the next few years.
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| Artist's rendering of Smart eScooter. (Picture from: http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com/) |
In a statement Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars, said "The decision in favor of the escooter has been made. With this step, we are adding a further important component to our smart mobility concept for urban mobility in the future."
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2014 Smart eScooter front angle. (Picture from: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/)
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This scooter first appeared as a escooter concept in the arena 2010 Paris Motor Show, with a very simple and modest form. On the styling front, the scooter features a white and green paint scheme (from the fortwo electric drive), solar cells and LED lights.
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2014 Smart eScooter rear angle. (Picture from: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/)
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The Smart eScooter's frame is made from steel and aluminum and emulates the Smart ForTwo's tridion passenger cell in its strength properties and design. Beneath the seat, there is room for two scooter helmets, and the second seat – or 'pillion' seat – folds out and back from this single seat as needed, while the rear foot pegs emerge as part of the process. If an owner does not foresee having pillionites aboard, he or she can replace the seat with a luggage rack.
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| 2014 Smart Escooter could be integrated with your iPhone or smartphone. (Picture from: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/) |
Motivation is provided by a 4 kW (5 hp/5 PS) electric wheel hub motor which is powered by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. This setup enables the scooter to travel up to 100 km (62 miles) and hit speeds of 45 km/h (30 mph). When the battery is depleted, it can be recharged in three to five hours with a standard household outlet.
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| 2014 Smart eSooter could be recharged in three to five hours with a standard household outlet. (Picture from: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/) |
As with all Smart e-Mobility efforts, an owner benefits from complete smartphone integration. Mounting one's phone in the onboard holster between the handlebar grips, a suite of smart apps and connectivity opens up. Besides acting as speedometer and range indicator, the phone serves as a full-on navigation system, charge-point finder and, when away from the scooter, as a GPS tracking device if you've forgotten where you parked it. More apps will be revealed over time, we're sure.
With respect to safety, the Smart scooter includes an airbag, ABS stopping power, and Blind Spot Assist. Braking is controlled only by one lever on the right side of the handlebar which activates the front hydraulic disc brake. Once that occurs, the rear hub electric motor switches to generator duty and the rear brake is applied electrically. In the process, the lithium-ion pack recuperates energy. Energy regeneration also occurs via the discreet solar panels mounted at the front of the scooter. And there's also standard handlebar heating.
The eScooter’s impressive list of standard features and unique construction will set consumers back about U.S.$5,000 (or approx Rp. 48 million), based on early estimates. According to Smart, its forthcoming scooter will be part of the Car2go program, which presently operates in numerous North American and European cities. A subsidiary of Daimler AG, Car2go is a pioneering program designed to allow drivers to receive all the benefits of owning a car, without the high costs and annoyances.
Car2go members can access a number of different vehicles by simply swiping their membership card near the car, then drive away. When they’re finished, drivers just return the car to its designated parking space. *** [AUTOBLOG | WORLDCARFANS | EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OVI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 14122012]
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