Automaker Daimler unveiled an all-electric version of its tiny Smart car at the Paris Auto Show this week, dubbed the Smart ED for its electric drive. Diesel-powered versions of the ultra-cute, ultra-compact Smart Fortwo went on sale in the United States just this January to wide acclaim. Company spokespeople said the all-electric Smart Fortwo will be available in the U.S. by 2012 at the latest, and that a very small number of the EDs will be available somewhere in the world by the end of 2009. Daimler has been testing 100 or so of the Smart EDs in London since last year and has said it will also test 100 more in Berlin soon. German utility RWE is already working on setting up 500 charging stations throughout the city. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the company’s goal is to have some 1,000 of the EDs in operation in various cities around the world by the end of 2009. The tiny Smart ED will be able to travel some 90 miles on a full charge and has a top speed of about 74 miles per hour.
