Smart Fortwo Electric Drive 2017 verdict and specs

We drive the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive and Smart Forfour Electric Drive – the latest all-electric versions of Smart's city cars...

Smart Fortwo Electric Drive 2017 verdict and specs

Should I buy one?

Unfortunately, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has two big limitations: its lack of range and the fact that it only has two seats. The Forfour Electric Drive offers a bit more space, but it is still a small city car. For those reasons, these will only ever be a second or third car for most people. Plus, they're really only viable in urban areas where the owner has somewhere to charge it overnight.

When you consider that for a premium of £5000 over a standard petrol version, you can have zero-emissions motoring and a far more enjoyable drive, it does start to make a bit more sense. But the Renault Zoe and Volkswagen e-Up, although more expensive, also offer these things but are much more practical.

Read more – our full Smart Fortwo review

Read more – the best electric cars 2016


What Car? says...

Rated 2 out of 5


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Rivals:

Renault Zoe

Volkswagen e-Up


Smart Fortwo Electric Drive

Engine size synchronous electric motor

Price from £16,500 (est. after Government subsidy)

Power 80bhp

Torque 118lb ft

0-62mph 11.5sec

Top speed 81mph

CO2/BIK band 0g/km/7%

Smart Forfour Electric Drive

Engine size synchronous electric motor

Price from £17,000

Power 80bhp

Torque 118lb ft

0-62mph 12.7sec

Top speed 80mph

CO2/BIK band 0g/km/7%

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