Electric smart for UK

It looks as if Smart’s battery-powered ForTwo could be ready for UK launch sooner than expected. It debuted at 2006’s British Motor Show, and our image shows a brand-new prototype of the old-shape city car wearing UK plates on an official photo shoot in Spain.

Power will come from a rear-mounted engine made up of sodium-nickel chloride Zebra batteries that send 41bhp to the rear wheels. An eight-hour charge gives a range of around 60 miles, and the car has a top speed of 74mph – more than many electric vehicles. The new ForTwo is expected to cost £10,000, and will be exempt from road tax and congestion charging, plus qualify for free parking in some areas.