The tiny Smart car, fighting sluggish US sales, is getting a jolt under the seats.

That is where the lithium-ion battery pack sits in the new electric version of the two-seater, located where its 8.7-gallon gas tank used to be.

The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive made its local debut yesterday at the Herb Chambers dealership in Somerville. Taking a cue from BMW, which leased its prototype electric Mini Cooper last year to 500 American drivers, Smart is bringing 250 test models of its electric car to the United States. They will be available through special lease programs, but most will be sold to corporate fleets.

Smart plans to build 1,500 before official production begins in 2012. The four-year lease is expected to cost $31,500, about $10,000 more than the most expensive gasoline-powered Smart, according to Derek Kaufman, one of the brand’s vice presidents.

“What we’re really trying to promote here is the electrification of transportation,’’ he said.

The Smart car, made by Daimler AG, was introduced in Europe in 1998, and brought to the US market two years ago, when gas prices hovered around $4. Nearly 25,000 of the tiny two-seaters were sold that year.

Now that fuel prices have ebbed, Smart has struggled to market a microcar with scant luggage space and average fuel economy. Smart’s US sales through June are down 61 percent over last year, with only 577 sold last month. Herb Chambers, who owns two Smart dealerships, says that in a “good month,’’ he sells up to 20 of the cars.

“If fuel were $4 a gallon, there wouldn’t be a car sitting here,’’ Chambers said in his Somerville showroom.

Other than green wheels, decals, and two circular gauges atop the dashboard to show battery life and available power, there’s no apparent difference from the regular Smart. Power cables stow inside the tailgate, and the motor and other electrical components hide under the cargo floor.

Despite adding roughly 300 pounds worth of batteries engineered by California-based Tesla Motors, the 8-foot, 10-inch ForTwo barely weighs a ton. Maximum speed tops out at 60 miles per hour and its range is 84 miles. A complete charge from a standard outlet takes about eight hours.

Later this year, a wave of electric cars is expected to go on sale.

Buyers of electric cars can qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits.

Clifford Atiyeh can be reached at catiyeh@globe.com.

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by Russell J. Moore – Courtesy of: Warwick Beacon

Warwick will soon be home to the only Cadillac dealership in the state when Herb Chambers Cadillac, formerly located in Providence, moves into what was the Saturn dealership on 1511 Bald Hill Road.

Earlier this year, General Motors announced it would eliminate the Saturn brand of cars by 2011. Saturn, which had never been profitable in its 20-year history, was eliminated as part of GM’s restructuring plan submitted to Congress and President Obama after having received bailout funds.

Herb Chambers, which owns the dealership, was considering building a state-of-the-art two-story dealership in West Warwick, just a mile or so up the street. Herb Chambers, however, was convinced by Mayor Scott Avedisian and Warwick attorney Joe Shekarchi (who does legal work for the company) to remain in the city. That means the city will retain the tax revenue that otherwise would have been lost had the dealership opted to move.

Contacted yesterday, Chambers said he was happy to retain a presence in Warwick.

“General Motors has been pressuring me to move (Cadillac) there for a long time. Finally, we’re able to do it,” said Chambers.

Chambers pointed out that while the dealership will sell Cadillac exclusively, people who own Saturns will still be able to have their cars serviced at that dealership.

“We will continue to service Saturns forever, basically until there aren’t any more of them on the road,” said Chambers.

Chambers said the consolidation of two dealerships (Saturn and Cadillac) into one would result in some job losses, but he hopes that increased Cadillac sales will result in future job gains.

“We expect an increase in Cadillac sales because of our new location. Hopefully we’ll be able to add more employees in the near future,” said Chambers.

Chambers said Warwick is a great place to do business.

“There is so much retail in Warwick. That strip on Route 2 has to be one of the busiest in New England,” said Chambers.

Avedisian said that the addition of Herb Chambers Cadillac represents a much-needed end-of-the-year boost in economic development.

“Herb Chambers Cadillac is a wonderful addition to the city. We had many discussions about getting them here, as they are a well-known and respected entity in Rhode Island. We are pleased they will call Warwick home,” said Avedisian.

“This is a great end-of-the-year economic boost for the city.”

Councilman Steve Merolla (Ward-9), contacted on Friday, said he too welcomes the dealership into the city.