6 May 2009 – Contract Hire News – Met police commandeers smart fortwo electric drive
Contract hire customers who live or work in London could find that a smart fortwo electric drive (ed) is a regular sight on the capital’s streets over the next few years.
There are currently only 100 electric powered smart fortwos in the UK. The smart fortwo ed won’t be available to purchase or contract hire until 2010 when it goes into mass production. However businesses are able to lease the zero-emission micro-car as part of smart’s on-going road trials.
The Metropolitan police are the latest recipient of a smart fortwo ed and officers at Charing Cross station will have use of the car on a 3-year business lease.
Inspector Ian Wheeler from the Metropolitan police has been reported as saying: ‘As the largest employer in the capital the Met needs to lead the way and set and environmentally-friendly example.’
Praising smart fortwo ed’s environmental credentials he added: ‘It’s incredibly quiet, with no emissions whatsoever, so this car is perfect for use in a densely-populated area like the centre of London.’
Unlike the smart fortwo 61hp and 71hp micro hybrid drive models, which are now available to contract hire, smart fortwo ed is powered solely by electricity. Simply plugging the standard three-pin plug into a household power socket recharges the car.
When the smart fortwo ed goes into production in 2010 it will be the first car from Mercedes-Benz to have zero carbon or particle emissions. The company also plans to plant trees for every car sold or contract hired, so the smart fortwo ed will be completely carbon neutral.
The smart fortwo ed joining the crime-fighting team in London will be on the ‘front-line’ of law enforcement. Ian Wheeler revealed their smart fortwo ed ‘will be used by the permanent night duty team which tends to deal with violent crime and public disorder in central London, so it will be in the front line, going to the scenes of crime.’
Whilst crime fighting may be one role for the smart fortwo ed, the possibilities for the car are almost limitless. Given smart fortwo ed’s tiny exterior dimensions, low running costs equivalent to 300 miles per gallon and zero pollution levels, it will be the perfect company car for businesses who operate on the capital’s congested roads.
Smart fortwo ed will be available on business and personal contract hire next year.
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