Daimler to Make All-Electric Smart

Daimler, the maker of the Mercedes-Benz and other German vehicle brands, announced plans to mass-produce an all-electric version of its Smart Fortwo microcar by 2010. The initial fleet of 100 first-generation battery-powered Smart cars has already been deployed in London. Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche also said that the automaker could expand the electric lineup to include a Mercedes model.

"We plan an electric Smart for 2010 and for the same year a Mercedes (electric) model as well," he told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - a German newspaper.

Not unlike the case of GM's plug-in Chevy Volt, energy storage remains a concern as the company contemplates ways of sourcing the vehicles' battery packs, including a possible customer leasing option. According to Reuters, "Daimler, which spends about half of its research and development budget on powertrains and CO2 reduction, is also in talks with ex-SAP executive Shai Agassi regarding his plan to create a mass-market infrastructure for electric cars."

Germany Launches Hybrid Vehicle Program

Last Tuesday, June 24, the German government teamed up with Volkswagen - Germany's largest auto maker - to announce a new hybrid vehicle and battery development program.

Fifteen million Euros, or roughly 23.5 million dollars, will be allotted by the nation's Ministry of the Environment to help create super-capacitors that will draw on sun, wind, and other renewable energy sources within 4 years. The autogiant has already rolled out the first plug-in pet project, the VW Golf Twin Drive Concept. According to Space Mart, the car maker will be joined by the energy group EON to aid with the program.

Martin Winterkorn, the head of VW, said that while the internal combustion engine remains the workhorse for the short term, "the future belongs to all-electric cars."