How does it compare?
SMART Electric Drive vs. Other Compact Electric Vehicles
Range
The SMART Electric Drive, with its modest range of 109 km (68 miles), is the runt of this EV litter. Not far behind is the cute and cuddly Fiat 500e, which offers a slightly more adventurous 135 km (84 miles). Next up, we have the hipster magnet, MINI Cooper SE, boasting a respectable 177 km (110 miles). Then theres the Nissan Leaf with its whopping 240 km (149 miles), practically a road trip by comparison. And finally, from across the pond, the Chevrolet Bolt EV, eclipsing the others with an impressive 416 km (259 miles).
Acceleration
When it comes to launching off the line, the SMART Electric Drive ambles to 100 km/h in a leisurely 12.5 seconds, a figure thatll leave anyone this side of a tortoise grumbling. The Fiat 500e shaves this down to 9.0 seconds, while the MINI Cooper SE is looking sprightly with a 6.9-second dash. The Nissan Leaf does it in 7.9 seconds, and the zippy Chevrolet Bolt EV astonishes with a mere 6.5-second launch.
Power
On the power end of the spectrum, the SMART Electric Drive comes quaintly equipped with a 17.6 kWh battery providing 80 horsepower, a figure more akin to a lawnmower than a car. The Fiat 500e ups the ante with an 83 kW motor delivering 111 hp. The MINI Cooper SE, symbolic of the brands sporting pretensions, serves up 181 hp from its 32.6 kWh pack. The Nissan Leaf brandishes a 110 kW motor, translating to 147 hp, while the American muscle—Chevrolet Bolt EV—unleashes 200 hp from its 66 kWh battery.
Charging Time
If youre environmentally conscious but time-starved, the SMART Electric Drive offers a mixed bag. Charging from 0 to 80% in about 2.5 hours using a 240V Level 2 charger is speedy enough for the school run. The Fiat 500e completes this in 4 hours, and the MINI Cooper SE takes around 4 hours as well. The Nissan Leaf speeds up with 40-60 minutes using fast charging to reach 80%, while the Chevrolet Bolt EV flexes its muscles with a similar fast charge time but a Level 2 home charge stretching to 9.5 hours for a full charge.
Price
At the budget end, the SMART Electric Drive sets you back $25,200 (£19,000, €23,000). The Fiat 500e edges it with a roughly similar asking price of $28,000 (£21,000, €25,000). The suave MINI Cooper SE demands a bit of a splurge at $30,000 (£22,500, €27,000). The practical Nissan Leaf nudges the wallet further at $32,000 (£24,000, €29,000), and the robust Chevrolet Bolt EV strides in at around $37,000 (£27,500, €33,000).

