Daimler to offer a trial version of Smart electric car in Hong Kong
By Andrew, 09 Sep, 2011. 0 Comments
Smart ForTwo Electric Drive
Daimler AG will offer a trial version of its Smart electric car to Hong Kong partners as the city fights record pollution. In a statement, Daimler said that its trial partners, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Swire Coca-Cola HK, will employ the two-seater car for 6-12 months. Mercedes Benz will set up a service center with technicians and mechanics. The pilot program, which runs for four years, enters a push by companies like Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. to present electric vehicles in Hong Kong.
Government data show that in Hong Kong, pollution reached "very high" levels on a record one in four days last year. Last February, lawmakers said that the city government intends to replace several fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones and is looking into the possibility of hybrid buses.
Edward Yau, Hong Kong's environment secretary, said that Hong Kong could become a greener city with the “combination of electric vehicles and cleaner energy.” He said that Hong Kong has 170 electric vehicles and will boost the number of charging stations from 300 to 1,000 in a year. Daimler's Smart electric car, which could run 135 kilometers (84 miles) on a single charge, won't be built worldwide until 2012. Daimler has launched similar pilot programs in other parts in Asia like Indonesia, Japan and Singapore. There are four other partners who will receive this car in Hong Kong. These are CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd., Jardine Airport Services Ltd., Yan Chai Hospital and Hongkong Electric Co.
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