Recently I could have purchased one of these cars with a bad battery pack. The seller said that a new battery pack would cost $5000. I should have bought it and rebuilt the battery pack myself with salvage batteries.
Keep in mind range depends on temps (this was pretty cold 68F at 80F it would have more miles maybe 10-20 etc) also depends on acceleration - gentle acceleration semi truck like can give you 10 more miles, but most importantly speed - driving 60mph instead of 70mph will give you 15 more miles, driving 37 mph will give you 50 more miles etc..
Thank you so much! I actually have one medium hill on the way to work (25 miles) at highway speeds between 60-65 and my husband and I have been considering the Smart Fortwo for a while now, but no one does US drive tests! My commute looks similar to what you drove today, albeit in California, so it's comforting to know we could switch off and save on gas by me driving it to work every other day or so! If you could actually re-test this same vehicle during the summertime (not sure how hot it ever gets there) I'm sure it would be helpful to even those of us in the hotter states! Thank you very much again for alleviating our range anxiety a bit!
The anxiety of operating an EV... I know this feeling well. I'm renting a Smart for2 and am fortunate to live in Socal where charging stations are plentiful. Thanks for the real world senario test, good job! Informative!
On the topic of people getting mad for driving a bit slower, I personally put a "TOP SPEED 60 MPH" sign on my 2000 Sentra (to conserve gas for long freeway trips) and I haven't had someone honk at me while I'm staying in the right lane for a long time.
i had a diesel smart fortwo diesel and it was awesome. However, the prius gets better in city mileage AND is way more functional for both comfort and weather.
I am 6 foot 2 and weigh 290lbs. I currently drive a big Ford f250 4x4. We also have a Honda Accord that my wife drives. ..... that being said . I wish that the world wasn't so goddamn judgemental. I wouldn't mind driving one of these little cars. But because of my size it would be nothing but jokes, stupid looks, comments and the usual shit... "how do u even get in it" "do u void the warranty" no doubt. Someday one of these companies will use their marketing power to get pissed the stereotypes and then the market will really open up
Jack I understand, this is where you can practice by telling anyone who judges to piss-off. Heck, maybe even joke around a bit. I'm 6 feet and 200 lbs, not quite your size but I don't mind at all driving it!
that's my problem. I thank you for the video, I´m a possible buyer of a 2015 smart for a 50 mile run a day and I needed to know the real range. I just don't know if 5 yo batteries will have the same range.
These Smart cars are not worth buying new, but leasing or used they can be a smart choice for specific situations such as a second car that you use just to go back and forth to work. Used ones can be found WAY less than new. I've seen some that are only a year or two old that are only $6000-7000. As a primary car, though, it would not work for me but it may for many out there. Remember that the average person drives less than 30 miles per day...
Trun on the fan. Takes a lot of energy. I know it from my Smart electric drive 451. It takes almost 10 kilometers of range. Ac takes a bit more. And turning of te heating. Eats energy. From my experience. Driving on a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. You will get the most out of 1 charts. Then it must be possible to get 150 kilometers out of 1 charts, and the weather is ferry important. The colder it get the range wil drop drastically
You didn’t mention your heater setting. Were you using the heated seats? Were you producing heat or air conditioning? Was your fan on? This information would be helpful. Thanks
Why didn't you set your self charging to low? I my 2016 gets 97 miles when I use it. Yes and you can tap the brakes to charge to.dont forget the heater and AC sucks the battery down fast.
I need to do 150km every day, 75km on the way to office, and 75km back to return home. Do you think I could do it? My drive its 80% highway, at a speed of at least 100km/h. Should I take the electric drive or the CDI/MHD?
I'm always scared of people honking at me. I just take the back roads to kind of spare myself embarrassment from feeling like people are giving me the finger, how did it feel pushing it above 70mph? I always feel like it's soo unhappy lol
Thinking of buying a 2015 used Smart Fortwo vehicle with about 30K miles on it...Like how long will the battery, engine, and transmission last before needing maintenance?
@@nc3826 incorrect. It does have a motor and transmission. But you are correct that they'll practically last forever. It's the battery to be worried about.