Smart Harnesses the Wind

Smart wind turbine

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Smart is boosting its credentials as an eco-friendly manufacturer by leasing around 100 electric versions of the fortwo as city runabouts in theU.K.

It’s a toe-in-the-water marketing move by the DaimlerChrysler-owned brand, which isn’t expected to have the EVs ready for general use until 2011. And British bosses have revealed they’re also cleaning up their own act, announcing plans to build a towering wind turbine in the grounds of their British HQ.

The totem-pole design will be used to generate power to run a fleet of electric fortwos, capable of travelling up to 70 miles on a full battery. Three charging posts will be installed in the DC corporate car park, and will be working round the clock to keep the vehicles on the road.

A spokeswoman said: “This is part of a zero emission transport solution. Once the project is finished we'll be able to charge our smarts on site, there will be no exhaust emissions and no fossil fuels to make the electricity. We're hoping to inspire other companies in the area to do the same.”

A similar plan for the recently-opened Mercedes-Benz World experience center at Brooklands, Surrey, is awaiting local council approval.

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