ZAP’s Americanized Smart Car EPA-Rated at 40 MPG

22 March 2006

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy testing of the Smart Car Americanized for ZAP yielded results of combined fuel economy of 40 mpg. That’s well below the ZAP’s initial claim of 60 mpg, but above the EPA’s original estimate of 37 mpg. (Earlier post.)

The 40 mpg combined results are equivalent to the VW diesel New Beetle, but makes the Smart the most fuel-efficient all-gasoline (non-hybrid) car in the US. The Smart car uses a 698cc, three-cylinder gasoline engine.

The European gasoline-powered version direct from smart (which is owned by DaimlerChrysler) is rated at 4.7 liters/100 km (50 mpg US) on the combined European Drive Cycle. (The diesel smart delivers 3.8l/100km, or about 62 mpg US.) ZAP’s model is imported and adapted to US requirements by G&K Automotive Conversions.

ZAP has delivered Smart Cars to dealers in Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Washington, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania and with the recent release of 2005 model cars, other states will follow.

ZAP also expects to introduce an all-electric city car called the XEBRA this year (earlier post) and has contracted to distribute a Brazilian trybrid car under development that uses ethanol, gas and electricity.

Through its subsidiary, licensed automotive distributor Voltage Vehicles, ZAP is establishing a dealer network that specializes in smaller, more fuel-efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, alcohol, hybrid, trybrid and other power systems.