electric drive
knowledge. it's electric!
Check out our even more stunningly sweet info on the all-new smart electric drive.
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frequently asked questions
What's the MSRP of the smart electric drive?
A. $25,000* for the coupe and $28,000* for the cabriolet. But hold up, it’ll actually cost
you less once your federal and local tax credits kick in.
What's the federal tax credit for the smart electric drive?
$7,500. Go green, earn green.
Where can I find my local incentives?
Check Alternative Fuels Data Center website – http://www.afdc.energy.gov/ – for all the
info on federal, state, local laws and neat incentives for electric vehicle owners. Lots
of states do cool stuff, like in California where you get unlimited access to HOV lanes,
even if there’s only one person in the car. The electric drive is also exempt from certain tolls.
Can you buy or lease an all-new smart electric drive?
Buyer's choice! The all-new electric drive is sold just like the gas-powered smart
with great, non-confusing retail and lease offers. And don't forget to ask your local,
fantastically amazing smart dealer about our Battery Assurance Plus rental program.
It lets you buy or lease the car, but rent the battery for an affordable price. Plus,
we'll give it annual maintenance, so you don't have to worry about the battery one bit.
So all we need you to do is drive.
What's the warranty going to be like on the MY13 smart electric drive?
Hope you like the gas powered smart's warranty, because it's the same great offer
for the electric drive: 4 year/50,000 mile warranty. The battery warranty is also included
with the vehicle warranty. So if you want to think of it as two great warranties, go ahead.
What the heck is MPGe?
MPGe is a math/science-y thing. More specifically, it's the equivalent of miles per gallon
used for electric vehicles. It’s how all manufacturers show vehicle efficiency. Manufacturers
use MPGe to make the vehicle's battery optimized for the size of the vehicle. That way,
you get the most efficient vehicle possible. If you compare MPGe to fuel economy, the
higher the fuel economy, the more efficient the vehicle. Not to boast, but the smart electric
drive uses charge very efficiently.
What is smart's MPGe†?
122 city, 93 hwy and 107 combined. This calls for a "booyah."
What's the range of the new electric drive?
The EPA test determined our range to be 76 miles city, 59 highway and 68 miles combined.
High fives all around. But remember, while this is the official test figure, the actual range
depends on driving behavior and external factors such as outside temperature, speed,
traffic, etc. Similar to any gasoline vehicle, there's the official EPA rating
and then your actual consumption based on your driving. Face it, some days you'll
just get more miles out of a full tank of gas than others. What we’re saying is,
you're great and so is the EPA. (Because we know you were wondering: The average
American drives 29 miles/day.)
Is the electric vehicle bigger or smaller than the gas model?
Since day one we've wanted to be an electric-vehicle maker, so the gasoline fortwo and the
electric drive smart have the same interior room and cargo space. The battery goes where the
fuel tank usually is, and the electric motor is right at home where the conventional piston
engine would be. We don't do compromise, so the only thing different about the electric drive
and the conventional smart is the gasoline.
Can I only get the smart electric drive in white and green?
Please, we like you enough to give you a bunch of color options. The MY13 smart electric
will be offered with the same exterior and interior color options as the gas powered model
(except for the Crystal Grey leather interior). But if green and white is what you want, the
kinetic green appearance package will be available as an option - this includes the white body panels,
green tridion and white wheels.
Where can I find public charging stations?
You should download PlugShare. It's a cool EV charging station map for your smart phone.
PlugShare is an independent company we really dig, and it operates like a mix between
Google Maps and Yelp. You can see charging stations by your location, and it lets users
add charging stations and review stations. Also, your fantastic new smart electric drive
comes with a membership to ChargePoint, one of the largest networks of independently
owned charging stations in the country. So you'll always know where and how to give your
battery all the juice it could ever want.
Can I still charge with a standard household outlet?
You don't have to use a charging station, but it's faster. Now, don't panic, but here's some
science: charging stations output 240V, as opposed to the 120V found in most households.
So the smart will charge quite a bit faster with a charging station, whether it's a public
one or you can easily get installed at your home. See? Science is fun.
How do I recharge the battery, and how long does it take for a full charge?
Don't worry, friend. It's real easy. Each smart electric drive comes with a charging cord for
normal 120V household outlets as well as a charging station option for 240V outlets like those
used for electric ranges and clothes dryers. (Or really big leaf-blowers for all we know.)
Below are some charging times to give you an idea, assuming it's not really cold or really
warm, which can affect how long it takes. We picked 77 degrees, because that's super lucky.
- With the 240V – charge times:
- charge time from 0 -100% SOC (240V) = 6 hours
- charge time from 20-100% SOC (240V) = 4.5 hours
- charge time from 20-80% SOC (240V) = 3.5 hours
What about a 'fast charge' option like they have in Europe?
We're bummed, but we don't have a fast charge option right now. But we're confident that
overnight charging with the 120v system or the faster charge with the 240V system will meet the
needs of most drivers. Don't fret, America still rules.
Regenerative braking? Huh?
Hold on to your science seats. When the car is coasting and when the driver first touches the
brake pedal, the electric motor acts as a generator. This slows the car and pumps electric power
back into the battery. Only when the driver pushes harder on the brake pedal do the conventional
brakes come into action. Basically, the momentum of the car is converted into extra electrical
power during coasting and braking. This actually extends the car's range by converting energy
that's normally wasted during braking. It sounds like magic, but our engineers assure us it's
just brainiac stuff.
What's the warranty on the smart electric drive battery?
You'll be completely and supremely thrilled to learn that there's a 4-year warranty, and it's
included in the warranty of the vehicle. But if you're a free spirit and just want to rent the
battery, we have a nifty rental program called Battery Assurance PlusSM. It's uber affordable,
you're guaranteed great battery capacity and we'll give your battery an annual maintenance
check-up. That's three great features plus a great car, so if you're counting that's really
four great things!
Does the battery have to be run-down to zero periodically to keep it up to snuff?
Nope. The electric drive has a lithium-ion battery and doesn't require this. Really specific
problem solved!
Why did smart choose a lithium-ion battery?
You deserve state of the art technology, and that's what a lithium-ion battery provides. Want 4
ridiculously awesome additional reasons? Ok, cool: it's relatively lightweight, quick charging,
boasts a long service life and can be recycled easily.
What kind of charging station is recommended for the electric drive?
There are two types of charging stations. Both can be mounted on a wall or pillar.
- Bosch Keba Basic EL-51207 – Price $1,322
- Charging capability only. Able to fully charge the smart electric drive in 6-7 hours.
- Recommended for at-home charging.
- Bosch Keba Connected EL-51208 – Price $1,628
- Provides diagnostic capability in addition to charging (LAN Connection required).
Both the Keba Basic and Keba Connected can be used indoors or outdoors, and require an
input of 208-240V, single phase, and a 40A dedicated circuit. Both come with a 2-year
warranty.
Does smart have a preferred provider for charging stations and installations?
You bet we do. We have a nifty agreement with Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. They
provide installation, service and ongoing customer support for all charging stations. Visit
the Bosch Automotive Service Solutions website for more details:
http://www.pluginnow.com/smart-charging-faq. Tell them smart sent you. They’ll know what
that means.
still got a question?
Call 1-800-smart-USA (1-800-762-7887)
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm (EST)
zap. zig. zoom.
It’s here. The fully electric, fully customizable, fully full-of-attitude, all-new smart electric drive. Starting at $25,000* before tax credits.
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The smart electric drive is rolling out across the nation through 2013‡. Find out if it’s arrived in your city, or claim yours before it charges into town.
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