Smart EQ ForFour
2019 pnwards
The Smart EQ ForFour is basically just the old petrol powered car with an electric motor and battery pack, so the car has a few old fashioned features.
For a start, you have to actually put the key in and turn it to get started. I, wrongly, assumed that just turning it to the old 'ignition' position would be enough. But you actually need to twist it that last little bit, as if you were starting a petrol car.
This seemed particularly weird to me.
It also has a very tall gear level, again carried across from the internal combustion engined car.
So, I was rather disappointed when I got in the car and tried to get going. Embarrassingly, I even went back in to ascertain what I was doing wrong. This is because turning the key to get started seemed such an alien concept to me, at least in relation to driving electric vehicles.
On the Road
Once we were on the road, however, things were a lot better. It felt good on the road, with great weight to the steering and plenty of feel.
It was sprightly, rather than quick, but I rather liked it.
The drive was fairly limited and was only on the roads around Basingstoke, including the 70 mph ring road. So, I can't really talk in detail about what it was like to drive fast, flowing country roads. That will have to wait for when I get my hands on the all new Smart EQ models, with the marque set to be completely electric going forward. Apparently, these will start to be available from the summer, so watch this space...
Range and Charging
The range on the Smart is surprisingly low. But, the surprise eases when you realise just how small the battery is; coming in at less than 18kWh! The stated range is 73 miles and, remembering that the average daily journey for a car in the UK is just 20 miles, this is probably adequate for most of the people who'd buy the Smart.
The standard AC charger is rated at 4.6kW, although there is an option for a 22kW. There is no facility for DC charging, but with such a small battery and a car that is unlikely to be used on longer journeys, that probably isn't too much of an issue.
The Interior
As I've already said, I was disappointed at the old fashioned nature of some of the car's equipment and controls. That said, the actual quality seemed quite good. I am 6 foot tall and about 22 stone, but I was quite comfortable behind the wheel. It really isn't too bad, but it will get better when it's a dedicated EV from the ground up.
My Verdict
The Smart EQ really did drive well, but was let down by the fact that it was based upon the original petrol car and shares so much of its features. As a result, it's not a car that I'd recommend. Wait for them to launch their new models, which I think will be pretty good.
The ranges stated in the above table are approximations based upon the combined cycles (city and main roads) in the cold and in warmer weather. These are not guarantees and they are not based upon the experience from my test drive.
You can find lots of information about electric vehicles, past and current, at http://www.ev-database.org
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