Overall rating:

New batteries, new motor, new performance: the Smart fortwo electric drive is finally ready for public consumption. With zero emissions, a 90-mile range and less than £3 to fully re-charge it, only the relatively high purchase price and an infrastructure still behind the advances of manufacturers count against it.

Key Facts

Model tested: Smart fortwo electric drive coupé
Pricing: £19,068 (estimated - with battery lease at £65 per month)
Engine: electric motor
Transmission: single-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: three-door city car
Rivals: Kia Rio EcoDynamics, Nissan LEAF, Vauxhall Ampera
CO₂ emissions: 0g/km
Charging time: 7 hours (domestic), 6 hours (with wallbox)
Range: 90 miles
Top speed: 78mph
0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
0-60km/h: 4.8 seconds
Power: 55kW (75hp)
Torque: 130Nm

In the Metal:

It looks just like a Smart, and that's kind of the point; after all, Mercedes' city car is already pretty funky looking without any bespoke electric bodywork. In fact, almost nothing has been changed, not even the aerodynamics. You can have an EV-only colour scheme of green and white, but then you can also choose from the full range of standard paint and even Brabus personalisation options.

It's kind of the same story inside: you sit high above the sandwich floor (now housing the battery) looking at a dashboard designed as much for fun as function. The pair of instrument pods now displays energy reserves and power use while the main binnacle now offers more detailed range information. Of course it's still got a tiny boot, but thanks to the Smart platform always being designed with electrification in mind there is no difference in practicality to the others in the Smart range.

Driving it:

The second generation Smart EV may have been at home in the city, with plenty of get up and go below 60km/h, but out on the open road it certainly struggled. Previously, 0-62mph took a tardy 26.7 seconds, but the new model - with an extra 20kW - completes the same benchmark in less than half that time (11.5 seconds). On paper that may not seem very quick, but without any gearchanges and instantaneous torque it means in reality the little Smart, despite its eco intentions, feels genuinely rapid around town.

It's all thanks to the firm's new battery and motor technology under the sandwich floor. The electric motor is now produced by EM-Motive, a joint collaboration between Mercedes and Bosch, while the battery pack is the result of another joint project involving Evonik. As you'd expect it remains almost silent, though customers can specify an optional sound generator that warns pedestrians, as well as emitting a high-tech hum for cabin occupants.

It's not all rosy from behind the wheel though, as despite the incredibly compact footprint and turning circle the power steering itself is devoid of feel or feedback. We also experienced some strange kick-back through the helm when applying lock while stationary. And of course with such a short wheelbase ride quality has never been a Smart forte, the problem exaggerated by the EV's stiffer springs (to combat the extra weight of the batteries). Around town, the natural hunting ground of such a car, it hops, skips and bangs over imperfections large or small. Braking is equally disappointing, the electrically operated vacuum pump failing to recreate the feel found in conventionally engined cars, which results in some rather abrupt and sharp stopping.

Things are easier when reaching your final destination though, the Smart offering three charging options. As standard you can use a conventional three-pin home socket, or opt for a more specialised wallbox taking seven and six hours to fully recharge the car respectively. Those in more of a hurry can invest (circa £3,000) in a fast charger system for the car, which can be used with public charging points - that will complete the process in one hour. It's plugged in via the 'petrol' flap, and thanks to the firm's 'Always On' technology you can monitor the car's charging status via your smartphone.

What you get for your Money:

There's two ways to buy the Smart EV. One with a lower purchase price where you lease the battery at approximately £65 per month, and another higher price where you own the car and the battery in full. The former actually makes more sense though, as that way the firm will guarantee the batteries for ten years, the latter for only three. At least the cost of 'fuelling' this model is low, requiring less than £3 of electricity to recharge from full depleted.

And for some added value the Always On System not only allows you to monitor the car's charging status, but it will also Tweet or text you when the battery has reached a predetermined charge status, as well as mapping just how far you can travel, and where the nearest power outlets are.

Worth Noting

Smart is all about fitness for purpose, and it realises that while its fortwo does some things very well indeed, the package can be rather limited for some journeys. So whether it's an EV or standard model the firm has decided to offer a series of customer offers. Striking a deal with Europcar Smart customers now receive 20 per cent discount off hire costs, perfect for when you need something larger or with a longer fuel range.

Summary

It's been a long time coming - the very first Smart was designed with electricity in mind and the first EV model arrived on trial in 2007. Now though the production model is ready, and will arrive in UK showrooms at the start of 2013. It's not without merit - for most the 90-mile range will be sufficient, it's cheap to run and actually quite pleasant to drive. But as with any electric vehicle the compromises still outweigh the positives, not least the lack of full EV infrastructure currently on offer in the UK.