Well I have had an uneventful last 2 days since my last Blog, which is how it should be. This car is so easy to charge up and drive making motoring in and around Sheffield very normal. That’s if you call zero emissions, 1-2p a mile, free Road Fund Licence and free parking in Sheffield normal. For those of you who have just joined the blog then scroll down to each of my blogs and click on the comments to see what people have been talking about and questions people have raised.
I have had a note from Katie Steels at Diva who is assisting in running the blog and she says that by last Friday there had been 290 visitors to the blog.
Perhaps if the interest and demand for electric vehicles increases then technology will move faster and they will become affordable.
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Gary
ReplyDeleteIs the car solely a city get about for 1 driver or can it easily get 2/4 people + luggage up East Bank Rd? If so does the energy consumption (& running costs) rise considerably.
Most people would have a concern about losing all power, if e.g. you get stuck in a traffic jam for an extended period - can the RAC attend and power it up ? or does it then need a tow back to your power supply?
It is mainly for city/town commuting but ideal for anyone who travels in to work from up to 20 miles out. The Smart car that I am driving is a 2 seater with some luggage space. I get a large briefcase and sports bag in comfortably.No problem going up East Bank Road I do it every day and no power loss. Speed and load does vary the miles achieved on a full charge so that is why I say betwen 50-70 miles. I will find out about flat battery recovery and let you know.
ReplyDeletePete --in addition to the above I have received some further helpful advice ----It's like with every vehicle - electric, petrol, diesel or hybrid - you always have a limited amount of energy available (in one form or another) and if you stand too long in a traffic jam you will run out of power. It's always best to turn off your ignition to save that energy.
ReplyDeleteWith the Smart EV it would also be advisable, of course, to turn off the heating, radio etc. and not to constantly activate the break lights but to use the hand break instead. The smart will use less power being stationary in a traffic jam than driving with 30/40/50 miles per hour, therefore the charge will last longer.
The manufactures say it is just prudent to always use opportunity charging whenever possible, e.g. an hour during shopping at Meadowhall or a couple of hours in the office to top-up the battery in order to cater for any unforeseen circumstances - like a traffic jam.
With regards to this particular Smart car the Mercedes recovery service is very likely to tow (or pick-up) you back to base to recharge. Hope that helps.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeletegreat to hear the council is testing the Electric Smart, I have had a Smartfor Two since they brought the right hand drive out over here in 2002. I have to say I would not change it for any thing else. It's economical, comfortable,fun to drive,a looker! and has more space inside than everyone imagines.
Most people ask how I manage with 'just' two seats, perfectly I reply, if people noted their own 'seat' usage they might be surprised how often they drive around with 3 empty seats.
For the city, Smartfor Two's are ideal.Finding a parking space is no problem! My partner had a Smartfor Four, I have to say, sadly that I am not a fan, the seating is too low and the allround vision is slightly limited, due to the small back window and the windscreen posts. I also found it was more difficult to park, unlike the for Two.
I think the Council should use for Two's as pool cars anyway, they would save so much money which could then be diverted to 'greener' issues.
Wouldnt it be great if Sheffield was the city with the most Smartfor Two drivers - how proud we could be of Smart thinking residents and a great example to other city's.