A smart enthusiast from St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec has posted a record tank in his 2006 smart cdi, which has the 799 cc 3-cylinder turbo-diesel currently unavailable in the United States.

Over the course of five days, his car used just 23.8 litres to go 1063 kms. That’s an astounding 660 miles on 6.3 US gallons.

Fuel economy summary:
2.238 L/100 km
126 mpg imperial
105 mpg US

Incidently, this essentially matches the fuel economy I achieved almost exactly a year ago!

Serge wrote at clubsmartcar: (more…)

You can purchase a Scangauge here, and save fuel!

Click here if you are interested in another 2005 smart diesel I have for sale!

UPDATE: August 30th, 2007

NRG SVR has found a new home in Maple Ridge, BC. I was made an offer for the car and everything except the bike rack. Thank you all for your interest. (more…)

by Keith Hebert

Contact Keith by e-mail.

The presence of the smart car in Canada was brought about in part by the efforts of a Transport Canada initiative, known as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Program.

The Advanced Technology Vehicles Program (ATVP) has been in operation since June 2001. The goal of the ATVP is to support Transport Canada’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources and achieve a transportation system for Canada that is sustainable. The program is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from on-road vehicles by:

* evaluating the fuel efficiency, emissions and safety performance of advanced technology vehicles;
* identifying opportunities and market potential for the introduction and use of advanced technology vehicles;
* identifying barriers to the introduction and use of advanced technology vehicles and recommending remedies;
* raising public awareness of advanced technology vehicles; and
* supporting Transport Canada’s environmental programs.

ATVP staff like Brian Bond and John Neufeld have put out tremendous efforts to bring attention to alternative vehicles. ATVP engineers were testing the smart car as early as 2000, bringing in two models, a gasoline cabrio, and a diesel coupe.

Continued enthusiasm for the smart product led to the ATVP acquiring additional smart models, including the roadster and the forfour, although both have been dropped from production by smart™ gmbh. Pictured below are the additional models acquired by the ATVP, along side my own smart fortwo coupe when it was wrapped in graphics for the One-Tonne Challenge. I had a chance to visit the ATVP program and drive these vehicles back in September 2005 during my own cross-Canada journey.

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