2012 is only four years away, but if things go as planned, Mercedes-Benz could produce as many as 10,000 electric vehicles by then.

A new initiative at the German automaker is developing electric versions of its smallest cars - the Smart ForTwo and Mercedes-Benz A-class.  Although a number of fuel cell-powered A-class prototypes exist, this would mark the first EV version shown and developed by Mercedes.

According to Thomas Weber, Daimler's director of research and development, both the Smart and A-class electric vehicles will debut sometime in 2009, allowing for the manufacturer to extensively test its lithium-ion battery packs in real-world conditions.

Weber hopes that limited production of the EVs could begin in 2010.  Full-scale production would not begin until 2012.

Source: Drive.com.au