Hambach, France – An electric version of the Smart Fortwo will go into series production in 2012, built at the Smart plant in Hambach, France, Daimler AG has announced.

The Smart, powered by a lithium-ion battery, will roll off the assembly line in large-scale production and be offered to customers through the Smart sales network. The initial series production will begin with 1,000 vehicles, the first of which will be delivered to customers by the end of 2009. As of 2012, the electric version will then be part of the regular product program of the Smart brand.

Daimler will invest a “double-digit million Euro amount” into the plant for production of the vehicle, which will be partially supported by the French government through its PAT (Prime d’aménagement du terriotire) program. Further supported will be extended by the Region Lorraine and the Département de la Moselle; the three combined will comprise a total of 15 per cent of the investment.

The initial 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate additional feedback from the use under everyday conditions.