Webster: Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Arriving 'A Year After' ICE Model

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Though the new Smart Fortwo is coming to showrooms in the United States later this year, the Electric Drive model won’t be available just yet.

Autoblog reports that the redesigned EV won’t hit U.S. showrooms for “approximately a year after” the ICE variant arrives, per Smart USA general manager Mark Webster, with the date of arrival set for between late 2016 and early 2017. No explanation for the delay was given when interviewed by AutoblogGreen.

Until then, Smart plans to sell the previous generation Fortwo EV alongside the new ICE model. Webster stated that the brand moved over 2,000 units of the Fortwo ED in 2014, 921 in 2013. He added that parent company Daimler AG was “very committed” to electrification, explaining without going into specifics that other EVs were in the works.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
20 of 23 comments
  • Nick_515 Nick_515 on Jan 16, 2015

    This effectively addresses the two main (interrelated)complaints about it - unimpressive fuel economy and coarse driving experience (that automatic).

    • See 13 previous
    • Maymar Maymar on Jan 16, 2015

      @Maymar Well yes, but is there ever a discussion of small cars that doesn't involve someone mentioning that for just a few thousand more, you could easily get a larger car (or a gently used one for the same price). Want a smart? No, you really would be better off with, like, a Yaris. But honestly, the Corolla is a better choice than the Yaris, so you should get that. But really, the Corolla doesn't have a V6, the Impala does, so that's what you really want. It gets 30mpg highway (just don't ask about the city number)!

  • Redav Redav on Jan 16, 2015

    Given the intent of Smart, it may be better to drop the ICE and just go electric only.

    • Maymar Maymar on Jan 16, 2015

      Eh, as one of the Smart's most predominate (certainly at the expense of other things) strengths is its ease of parking, going electric only would rule out buyers who don't have parking spots (and ergo, nowhere to charge it).

  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Jan 16, 2015

    "Smart USA general manager Mark Webster" So do you imagine Mark's company car is a "Smart" or a Mercedes?

    • Lie2me Lie2me on Jan 16, 2015

      A Smart, with the bumper sticker "My Other Car is a Maybach"

  • NoGoYo NoGoYo on Jan 16, 2015

    I thought only Domino's Pizza owned EV Smarts.

Next