Amsterdam introduces 300 smart fortwo electric cars

Even recharging of the electric vehicles is not mandatory after each rental, because the range of the smart fortwo electric drive is eight to ten times higher than the average operating distance of a car2go rental. Amsterdam will be the fifth city with a car2go service globally, but the first in Europe with an all-electric fleet.

Together with Amsterdam's electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which only uses energy from renewable resources, the car2go fleet of local zero emission cars is improving air quality and, due to the compact smart two-seater vehicle, is saving valuable space in the city centre.

"The 300 white smart fortwo electric drive from car2go fit with the commitment of Amsterdam to improve the air quality of the city, focusing particularly on the reduction of the pollution caused by businesses which drive many kilometres in the city like taxi and delivery traffic. Expectations are that many kilometres will be driven with the car2go vehicles and, therefore, it is very positive that they are driven by an electric motor," says Eric Wiebes, alderman for traffic, transportation and air quality of the city of Amsterdam. "After all, these vehicles are emission-free and that is good news for the health of the citizens of the city of Amsterdam. Another advantage is that it brings electric driving closer to the general public in one go."

Charging stations will increase up to 1 000

Amsterdam is not only well-known for its Amsterdam electric program, but also for its efficient public transit network and various bike and car sharing programs, which are well accepted by its citizens. car2go will complement these existing transport systems by providing a service for short and spontaneous one-way trips with electric vehicles. The 300 car2go vehicles and other electric cars in Amsterdam will have access to more than 250 charging stations in the city area right now, most of them with two load-points. The number will increase significantly up to 1,000 by end of 2012.

car2go Amsterdam will operate in an area of 80 square kilometres, which covers large parts of the city. The approximate dimension of this business area is within the highway belt, excluding Amsterdam North but with so called "Hubs" in Zuidas, Arena and IJburg. Customers can drive with their car2go everywhere during the rental period, but must return to the business area to finish the rental. The vehicles can be picked up and dropped off at any public parking spot inside the business area or at one of 36 specially marked car2go parking spots in six "Q-Park" garages in the city centre.

All 300 vehicles are equipped with latest telematics technology, allowing fully automated, easy and convenient rental operations. It allows customers to rent the cars spontaneously without having the burden to commit to a specific return time or location. The cars have a lithium-ion traction battery, an automatic gearbox and a range of 135 km. On-board are air-conditioning, a radio and a navigation system.

The car2go program is already very successful in the German cities of Ulm and Hamburg, the Texan capital of Austin in the US and the Canadian city of Vancouver.