09 Jul 07
The electric car is a prototype based on the MkI Fortwo. The engineers are keen to stress that a lot will change - partly because of the feedback that will come from the 100 estate agents, council employees and other Londoners currently being chosen for the four-year trial, and partly because batteries are getting smaller all the time.
The prototype has a range of about 70 miles, so it's strictly for town use. A full charge would take eight hours, just plugged into the mains, but the more usual charge that boosts it from 20% full to 80% full takes only three and a half hours. So you can drive to work, plug it in, run some errands at lunchtime, plug it in again and drive home at 5.30.
The battery makes the car weigh 104kg more than standard, but that extra weight is underneath the occupants, so it actually lowers the centre of gravity. There's only one gear in the gearbox, which is all you need when all the power is available immediately. Over the first few yards its acceleration is actually quicker than the hotshoe Brabus version's, but top speed is limited to 70mph.
The quietness and the lack of gears makes it a little disconcerting at first, but you soon get used to it. And unlike the GoinGreen G-Wiz, it feels like a proper car, or at least a proper Smart, which is close enough. It's not the answer for everyone, but for people who need an urban gadabout and who can recharge it every day, this is very promising.
