Smart EQ ForFour (2017-2019) range, battery and charging

With a real-world range of less than 70 miles, the Smart EQ ForFour really is best suited to city use

Overall rating

3.0 out of 5

Range, battery & charging rating

3.0 out of 5

Price
£22,295 - £23,445
Fuel Type:
Electric
RangeBattery sizeWallbox charge timeFast charge time
68 miles17.6kWh2hrs 45mins (0-100, 7.4kW%)55mins (0-100%, 22kW*

*with optional 22kW on-board charger

With a relatively small-capacity battery by today's standards, the Smart EQ ForFour isn't the kind of electric car you'll take on a cross-country trip or continental holiday. However, those who make a lot of short journeys on crowded city streets may find a sub-70-mile real-world range perfectly acceptable, and a smaller battery means that a full charge takes a little less time than longer-range rivals.

Smart EQ ForFour range

Smart claims a 68-mile range for the EQ ForFour assuming a fully charged battery, calculated under the latest WLTP testing procedure. There's only one 17.6kWh battery capacity available, so that's the most you're going to get.

The EQ ForFour has relatively nippy performance and is quite happy to sit at fast motorway speeds, but do so for long and that battery range will drop fairly quickly. You'll find yourself hanging onto a charged battery for far longer at lower speeds.

Charge time

The Smart EQ ForFour has a built-in 7kW charger, which can optionally be upgraded to a 22kW item. The charging performance either unit offers depends on the mains power source used.

If the standard 7kW charger is fitted, Smart claims home charging from a mains socket will boost the EQ ForFour's battery from 10 to 80% charge in under six hours – there's no improvement in speed with the 22kW charger. Where a home wallbox is available, the same increase in battery charge takes two and a half hours with the standard 7kW charger, or under 40 minutes if the 22kW charger is fitted.

Most Popular

Volvo EX30 electric SUV undercuts Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Volvo EX30 - header
News

Volvo EX30 electric SUV undercuts Vauxhall Mokka Electric

Volvo has revealed its smallest electric car which boasts a range of up to 298 miles
7 Jun 2023
New electric cars coming in 2023 and beyond
Polestars under cover
Coming soon

New electric cars coming in 2023 and beyond

With electric cars making up an ever-increasing proportion of sales, the industry is working flat out to launch new models – here's what's on the way …
6 Jun 2023
Peugeot e-2008 facelift is now on sale with more electric range
2023 Peugeot e-2008 - header
News

Peugeot e-2008 facelift is now on sale with more electric range

The updated e-2008 SUV gets a refreshed look and a 252-mile range
7 Jun 2023