![\"Electric](\"https:\/\/fredpuhan.smugmug.com\/New-Home\/i-NG3r3Mx\/0\/CT88CwqmqCWFKd9NtZ5nrKHp5JmsfZwdgDZCcZ7Zn\/657x876\/NewHome-0269-657x876.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nand I knew instinctively that I was going to have to find a way to put it to use.\u00a0 After all, despite the resistance to (and I freely admit my participation) new forms of fuel, there is a part of me that believes electric vehicles are the wave of the future (at least until fusion power becomes the norm).<\/p>\n
I did some research. I went to CarMax<\/a> and looked at a used Nissan Leaf<\/a>.\u00a0 I went to a Chevy dealer and checked out Motor Trend’s 2017 Car of the Year, the Bolt<\/a>. I read about BMW’s i3<\/a> (and oh-so-sexy i8!).\u00a0 But YIKES, the cost of these cars — even used!<\/p>\n But one car came across my browser page:\u00a0 The smart fortwo electric coupe<\/a>.\u00a0 Designed and sold by Mercedes-Benz (the name is actually an acronym: “Swatch, Mercedes ART”), this little two-seater has a quirky appeal (to me, at least).\u00a0 I don’t need a new car; my 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350C4 with only 19,000 miles on it is just a doggone fun — and attractive\u00a0— car.\u00a0 And I’m going to keep it!<\/p>\n I found several smart electrics (or “ED” as they are unfortunately named) in the area.\u00a0 I went and looked at one in a lot, and kept coming back to one I saw online.\u00a0 I called the dealer, an independent used car seller, and said I wanted to check it out.<\/p>\n And check it out I did.\u00a0 In fact, I wrote a check and drove it out (away)!<\/p>\n It’s a 2015 and had 17,400 miles on it.\u00a0 I put $1,800 of tires, brakes and service into it to bring it to manufacturer’s spec, and now it’s my “local runabout.”\u00a0 It has a range of about 90 miles, and a top speed of about 76 mph.\u00a0 A\/C AM\/FM with AUX and USB inputs, a charging plug (for my phone) and surprisingly roomy!<\/p>\n I’m not sure where this is going to lead me.\u00a0 I’ve been saying this is my way of dipping my toes into the EV pond.\u00a0 Time will tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The wheels were already turning as I made ready to move into my new home.\u00a0 I had previously noted the existence of an electric vehicle charging station and I knew instinctively that I was going to have to find a … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fredpuhan.smugmug.com\/Random-Shots\/Smart-fortwo\/i-nCcBLBs\/0\/FFVJgFfnkdRHRJWVhxCcmm5t8HJFrHDMVr3Hzw5t3\/584x438\/2017-04-12%2008.00.05-584x438.jpg\")
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