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Smart EQ ForTwo Coupe (2014-2019) running costs

Depending on how you charge your Smart EQ ForTwo, you can expect to see your motoring bills plummet

Overall rating

3.0 out of 5

Running costs rating

4.5 out of 5

Fuel Type:
Electric
Insurance groupWarrantyService intervals2019/20 company-car tax cost (20%/40%)
122yrs / unlimited miles1yr / 12,500 miles£676 / £1,353

Like many electric cars, the Smart EQ ForTwo costs more to buy than the equivalent petrol or diesel model – but the savings start rolling in when you realise how much less the plug-in car costs to run. The government grant brings the Smart EQ to within around £4,500 of its petrol equivalent, and the more you drive, the quicker you’ll recoup the difference thanks to cheaper running costs.

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Being an electric car, the Smart EQ ForTwo qualifies for zero road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) and the lowest Benefit-in-Kind company-car tax rate. It’s also exempt from the London Congestion Charge, which could save you £11.50 per day if you regularly drive into the centre of the capital.

Smart ForTwo insurance groups

The EQ ForTwo falls into insurance group 12, compared to 15 for the pricier Nightsky-spec Cabrio. In any case, no ForTwo will be too costly to insure.

Warranty

All new Smart ForTwo – including the EQ electric cars – get a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. This is the same guarantee offered by parent company Mercedes on every model from the basic A-Class hatchback to the luxury S-Class saloon. In addition, all Smart models come with a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty, covering the car’s paint and body work.

Servicing

Smart EQ ForTwos run on a flexible service schedule, indicated by a light on the car’s dashboard. The type of service (minor or full) will depend on a variety of factors, including time elapsed and miles driven. You can pay for servicing using Smart ServiceCare, which breaks the overall cost down into manageable monthly payments. This can cost as little as £20 per month.

Road tax

As the Smart EQ ForTwo is a zero-emissions vehicle, it's exempt from road tax (VED).

Depreciation

Residual values for the Smart EQ ForTwo are pretty disappointing. Official figures suggest it'll retain between 34 and 37% of its value after three years and 36,000 miles. That said, no Smart petrol model will retain more than 43% of its original purchase price, either.

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Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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