Discussion on:

Smart's new EV: solar energy and plastic tires

Although it has the claim of "around 96 miles on a single charge" I still find this to be too limiting. It seems fine for a intercity commute but fails to provide for daily usage - such as going to get groceries, shopping mall, movie or theater after the work commute. In my case to drive to family it is 70 miles one-way, therefore this car just doesn't yet have the range for mainstream usage. IF it could be provided with an engine to provide power for the long haul then it would prove useful (if priced to be an affordable purchase).

Nothing was said about safety or accident rating. Will you survive an accident?

Only if you're involved in a pile-up between a Big-wheel and a tricycle! I wouldn't want to be driving this behind a GMC Surburban and a Kenworth Semi out back! I wonder if this car comes with a life time change of underwear? You'll be needing it if you're driving on *ANY* of the USA interstates!

I commute @ 75mph on the freeway in my Smart every day...you can't go thru life cowering under a metaphorical rock...

If, at the article says, "uses solar energy, featuring invisible organic solar cells on top of the car", does it means that during the day you have the power to go 96 miles with the overnight charge plus what you get through the solar cells?

OK...solar cells...um yeah....I'm sure that the solar cells do nothing more than power the LEDs that they light up as at night...
Anybody who has ever used those solar cell LED path lighting that you can get at any of the neighborhood WallyMarts *KNOWS* that the solar cell barely charges the battery in the lamp to light the single LED for 4-6 hours. And this is only if you have the solar cell clean and always in the sun! After about 6 months, the solar cells on my path lighting starts to get cloudy and it loses 40-50% of it's charging capacity! How may people will be constantly wiping off the roof of their smart car to increase efficiency? NONE! Solar cells are a joke and rather pointless until they reach 40% efficiency...They've only reached 19% in labs...realworld solar cells are 10% efficient at best (in real world use...dust, bird droppings and other issues will further diminish the efficiency!)

I plan to what for the new battery technology that use carbon nanotubes and should be able to boost the range 2 or 3 times.

Go to any auto parts store and youll find a large selection of products made for the dashboard, exterior plastic trim and tires. Unfortunately, many of these products are made to enhance the appearance of these components rather than maintain and protect them. cheap car tyres