Smart Car: Dumb Idea?

Europe has given the world many funny looking tiny clown cars. The Bubble Car. The three wheeled car, the old British Mini (not the newer German one, although the old VW could be a contender) even a single passenger covered pseudo-golf cart that might be able to attain 30 mph if pushed. Off a cliff. Now they have made the Smart Car, and it is infecting America.

While living in England, I was at first, impressed by the Smart Car. I felt its funny looking, hawkish design were only the result of its battery engine. Sometimes design has to be sacrificed for new technology. Only one problem: the Smart Car isn't electric. Rather more like an underachiever than a savant, the car still runs on petrol, and struggles with three cylinders at that. So, what's the point?

Perhaps in Europe, where $14 a gallon gas, thin windy roads are the norm, town driving is all you are likely to do, the Smart car presents an economic practicality. Perhaps for the rare American where that is also the case, the Smart car is a smart decision. But, America suffers from Urban sprawl, much more traffic, and a need for speed which also inherently causes a need for safety. If it were up to me (and not our government) and I had the economic wherewithal, I would happily get a big gas guzzling monster. If I'm in a wreck, I want my daughter as safe as possible. Are we getting peer pressured to the point where we are now willing to sacrifice peace of mind to save a few bucks at the pump?

So what about the environmental impact? Buying a Smart Car is a delaying action at best. We should be looking for alternative energy sources anyway, and not sacrificing freedom of choice, nor our safety.

Where the heck is my Mr. Fusion-powered-Flying DeLorean anyway?