Discussion
What's the thoughts on these?
Claimed 99 miles range should be plenty for my 18 mile commute; £2400 down and 36 x £249 (which by spooky co-incidence is about what I spend per month on petrol now), would have to pony up an extra grand for the excess miles (12k/year) I'd run up. Being generous and assuming 25kwh/100 miles, £1152 on juice, extra £32 a month, same as the mileage excess near enough... not worth worrying about (I put a £100 bork fund away each month anyway for my car (although in the absence of bork, that seems to disappear again in treats, somehow
)).
The tipping point is so very nearly here... I'm getting seriously tempted...
Claimed 99 miles range should be plenty for my 18 mile commute; £2400 down and 36 x £249 (which by spooky co-incidence is about what I spend per month on petrol now), would have to pony up an extra grand for the excess miles (12k/year) I'd run up. Being generous and assuming 25kwh/100 miles, £1152 on juice, extra £32 a month, same as the mileage excess near enough... not worth worrying about (I put a £100 bork fund away each month anyway for my car (although in the absence of bork, that seems to disappear again in treats, somehow
)).The tipping point is so very nearly here... I'm getting seriously tempted...
Hi. I have a 0.9t forfour. So can't comment on the electrical side of things but on the car in general. Depends what you are coming from and used to but, I find the car uncomfortable after about 30/45mins of driving. It's loud, the engine drone can be heard, but not too intrusive, but road and wind noise makes it's self known.
However it does have some nice touches such as the heated leather, climate control, speed limiter, cruise control, panoramic roof.
Check to see if it comes with the comfort pack, it adds height adjustable seat, adjustable steering column, electric mirrors and one or two more things.
It doesn't handle too bad, performance is adequate, 90bhp in a small car can surprise people.
Motorway driving is a chore, blown around a lot, keeping the speed limit is no problem and other cars don't like being over taken by a smart!
Hope that helps.
However it does have some nice touches such as the heated leather, climate control, speed limiter, cruise control, panoramic roof.
Check to see if it comes with the comfort pack, it adds height adjustable seat, adjustable steering column, electric mirrors and one or two more things.
It doesn't handle too bad, performance is adequate, 90bhp in a small car can surprise people.
Motorway driving is a chore, blown around a lot, keeping the speed limit is no problem and other cars don't like being over taken by a smart!
Hope that helps.
I test drove one in the spring this year, and had mixed emotions.
I'm 6'2" and it was one of the most comfortable driving positions I've had. The car was fully charged and was showing a range of 60 miles. As soon as I put the heater on, the range dropped considerably. In the winter, I was told the range would drop to 35 miles if you also had the heater on!
In terms of driving, it was a hoot to drive. Felt quick enough for urban traffic, handled speed bumps ok, and felt quiet for a small car, apart from a small whine coming from one of the wheels. Couldn't figure out what it was. It actually drove like a much larger car and only when I turned around did I remember I was in a smart. Felt very well built too. Loved the turning circle, it was a 2 seater. I kept doing u-turns in the test drive.
At the time I was looking they hadn't added fast charging to the vehicle, and there was a very long lead time to get a new one, so I didn't get one.
If you do get one, get the Winter package as it adds insulation to the car and other features that help reduce battery usage.
I'm 6'2" and it was one of the most comfortable driving positions I've had. The car was fully charged and was showing a range of 60 miles. As soon as I put the heater on, the range dropped considerably. In the winter, I was told the range would drop to 35 miles if you also had the heater on!
In terms of driving, it was a hoot to drive. Felt quick enough for urban traffic, handled speed bumps ok, and felt quiet for a small car, apart from a small whine coming from one of the wheels. Couldn't figure out what it was. It actually drove like a much larger car and only when I turned around did I remember I was in a smart. Felt very well built too. Loved the turning circle, it was a 2 seater. I kept doing u-turns in the test drive.
At the time I was looking they hadn't added fast charging to the vehicle, and there was a very long lead time to get a new one, so I didn't get one.
If you do get one, get the Winter package as it adds insulation to the car and other features that help reduce battery usage.
raspy said:
The car was fully charged and was showing a range of 60 miles. As soon as I put the heater on, the range dropped considerably. In the winter, I was told the range would drop to 35 miles if you also had the heater on!
Hmmmm, that takes what they're advertising and drops it from "see how we get on" to "will I get home?" each day in winter 
... not so good ...More info on the real world range of the Smart electric (testing in Germany)
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1114660_germa...
Another useful one giving real world range in a variety of situations
https://ev-database.uk/car/1132/Smart-EQ-fortwo-co...
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1114660_germa...
Another useful one giving real world range in a variety of situations
https://ev-database.uk/car/1132/Smart-EQ-fortwo-co...
raspy said:
More info on the real world range of the Smart electric (testing in Germany)
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1114660_germa...
Another useful one giving real world range in a variety of situations
https://ev-database.uk/car/1132/Smart-EQ-fortwo-co...
Ta.https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1114660_germa...
Another useful one giving real world range in a variety of situations
https://ev-database.uk/car/1132/Smart-EQ-fortwo-co...
Right back into range anxiety there... so the tipping point is still just close for me, not quite here yet.
epsilonvaz said:
Anyone got a Smart Fortwo EQ that can comment on real world range they're getting?
I've got a 2021 Prime Exclusive and it'll do 80-85 miles in the summer and 60ish in the winter with the heater on etc.If it suits your lifestyle (and you therefore accept its range limitations) its hard to beat for what it is IMO - mine has been rock solid in nearly 4000 miles of primarily motorway usage.
Sadly, i'm considering letting mine go due to a change in works circs resulting in much reduced usage.
Take a look at the VW E-up too, cracking fun little cars in electric form and you can lease them for less than £190 a month inc VAT. Which I'm pretty sure must make them cheaper than pretty much any other car a person on a budget might be running, the fuel saving alone for the typical driver would cover the cost of the (brand new) car... Also no road tax and all the other EV savings, brakes, servicing, ulez...
I have noticed a healthy number of used e-ups passing through local dealers so I would imagine finding one for a test drive would be pretty simple.
I have noticed a healthy number of used e-ups passing through local dealers so I would imagine finding one for a test drive would be pretty simple.
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff