2016 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe on 2040-cars

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New Car2go Regional Access shares carsharing between US, Canada

The 13 various North American Car2go services are about to play together a lot nicer. With the new "Regional Access" plan, every North American Car2go member will be able to use his or her membership from one city in another. This was previously available within the US to US-based members who wanted to use their accounts in another US city, but now US users can drive in the three Canadaian Car2go cities - Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver - and vice versa. Regional Access starts May 5 (so, sadly, not in time for any Star Wars Day shenanigans you may have planned), and does not cost any extra to use. Of course, opening up more cars to the current membership by definition increases the amount of possible Car2go trips, so it makes a lot of sense for Car2go to offer this upgrade for free. Sadly, European cities are not included in this change, but we hope that happens in the near future. If you have a Car2go account but haven't been using it because of recent price hikes (we're looking at you, Austin airport parking), then check out Free2go, an app that tells you which of the Car2go Smart Fortwo vehicles near you need a fill-up. Since Car2go provides users with 20 free minutes if they refill a car with a gas tank that is less than a quarter full, Free2go is a way to get some time credited to your account. This bonus is not applicable in cities with electric Car2go fleets, like San Diego. Dear car2go Member, We are proud to share some exciting news with you. At car2go, we've heard from many of you about the need for more transportation options in your city – and we listened. We've updated our Terms and Conditions and Trip Processes in preparation for more exciting features to come that will enhance your car2go experience. In fact, starting May 5th, 2014, we'll be giving our members the opportunity to take advantage of our first major upgrade (for free!): car2go Regional Access. This allows all North American car2go members to use the car2go service in any of car2go's 13 cities across the U.S. and Canada. So, what does this mean for existing members? As we prepare to expand into more innovative mobility options, all members will be required to accept the new Terms and Conditions and Trip Processes, which will go into effect on May 5th, 2014, more details on the changes can be found in the document here.

Next-gen Smart ED will use LG Chem battery

LG Chem will be the battery maker of choice for the two-seat Smart ED electric vehicle starting next year. LG Chem says the contract gives the Seoul-based company the prestigious title of the world's largest automotive-battery supplier. In 2016, LG Chem will be making batteries for more than a dozen of the world's largest automakers. The news is a little more fortuitous than some of the more recent times LG Chem and its lithium-ion battery production activity showed up in these pages. LG Chem built a factory about 30 miles outside of Grand Rapids, MI in 2012 to make batteries for the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle. Unfortunately, the plant sat idle for months even though the feds committed more than $300 million combined in funds and tax breaks for the factory. Those factory lines officially cranked up in 2013 and are going to make packs for the next-gen Volt in the near future. For now, you can take a look at LG Chem's press release for the Smart agreement below. LG Chem to supply EV batteries to Daimler Group Seoul, Korea - Mar 31, 2015 – LG Chem, Korea's leading manufacturer of advanced batteries, has been selected by Daimler AG (Daimler) as the supplier of lithium-ion batteries for Smart EV that will be newly launched in 2016. Based on the results of mass supply contract, LG Chem will be providing battery cells to Smart EV and the cells will be installed into packs by Daimler. Smart is a brand of Daimler that manufactures and markets micro cars such as Smart Fortwo and Smart Forfour. Despite the compact size of the vehicle, Smart is renowned for agility on city roads, secured safety and differentiated design. It has a steady sales record of more than 100,000 vehicles annually. LG Chem had been invited to the 'Supplier Day' hosted by Daimler in Stuttgart, February. LG Chem was the only lithium-ion battery maker invited to participate at the event and had the chance to discuss core strategies with numerous automotive partners of Daimler Group. Based on such experience, LG Chem plans to supply a battery that can cope with the prestigious name value of Daimler brands with the best specification and highest output of energy - a battery that has the best driving performance while running through electric motor. With the advent of 'Benz Patent Motor Car' in 1886, Daimler gave birth to the first automobile in the world.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla tour recounted, Smart using Renault electric motors

A man recounts his recent Tesla factory tour in a new video. When Michael Brown toured Tesla's Fremont facility on September 10, he learned a bit about the production process, saw the enormous stamping equipment Toyota left behind, and even caught a glimpse of the finished Model X SUV. Brown was told very few people in the factory had seen the production version of the Model X. Check out the video above, and read more Teslarati. Johnson Controls is expanding production capacity for Absorbent Glass Mat batteries for fuel-saving stop-start systems. With the market for stop-start batteries possibly growing from 22 million to 56 million by 2020, Johnson is investing $555 million from 2011 to 2020 to be able to build more batteries in the US, Germany and, China. The company is planning to build a $200-million battery plant in Shenyang, China capable of producing 6 million batteries per year. "Johnson Controls is currently the world's leading provider of batteries for Start-Stop vehicles and we plan to stay that way," says Johnson's Lisa Bahash. Read more at Green Car Congress. Renault will provide electric motors for the new Smart ED. The electric versions of the Smart Fourtwo and Forfour will use the same motor as Renault's Zoe EV. The batteries for the Smart cars will be manufactured by Daimler's own Deutsche ACCUmotive. The Renault-powered Smart Fortwo and Forfour Electric Drive are slated to go on sale in 2016. Renault and Daimler have had a working alliance responsible for 13 projects since 2010. Read more from Automotive News Europe. Related Gallery Tesla Factory News Source: Teslarati, YouTube: Michael Brown, Green Car Congress, Automotive News Europe Green Plants/Manufacturing smart Tesla Renault Electric Hybrid Videos recharge wrapup