Wiktor Wise
The Smart EQ fortwo is a full-battery electric version of the brand's city car. It can be charged at home, at work, or at public charging stations. The cost of charging the car varies between these locations and is primarily driven by the cost of electricity. The car's Type 2 inlet is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel, and it can be slow and fast-charged from public points. The Smart EQ fortwo is fitted with a 7 kW on-board charger as standard, but a 22 kW on-board charger is also available. Charging the car from zero to full using a typical 7 kW home charging point takes approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charging inlet location | Off-side rear 3/4 panel |
| Charging inlet type | Type 2 |
| Charging standards | Type 2 and None connector |
| Charging time (0-100%) | 2 hours and 31 minutes |
| Charging time (20-80%) | 1 hour |
| On-board charger | 7 kW (22 kW optional) |
| Battery size | 17.6 kWh |
| Range | 83 miles |
| Cost of charging | Varies by electricity cost and charge point |
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What You'll Learn
Charging at home
Charging your Smart EQ fortwo at home is a convenient and cost-effective way to keep your car powered. The car comes with a 7 kW on-board charger as standard, with a 22 kW on-board charger available as an optional extra. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 7 kW or 22 kW, the car will only be able to charge at the on-board charger's maximum level. The Smart EQ fortwo takes approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes to charge from 0-100% using a typical 7 kW home charging point, although most drivers "top up" their car, so charging times are often much shorter.
The charge port is located on the driver's rear side, and the car uses a Type 2 connector for home and public charging. You can also use a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable for slow charging and Type 2-to-Type 2 cable for fast charging, both of which are usually supplied with the vehicle.
Charging your electric car at home is often the cheapest per-mile option, as public rapid charging tends to be more expensive due to higher energy tariffs and a 20% VAT rate, compared to the 5% VAT applied to domestic electricity. The cost of charging at home will vary depending on your electricity rate.
To maximise the life of your battery, it is recommended to charge to 80% rather than fully charging to 100%. Other factors that can affect charging time include the ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, and charging rates slowing as the maximum charge is reached.
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Charging at work
Charging your Smart EQ fortwo at work is a convenient option. The car uses a Type 2 inlet for charging, which is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel. The Smart EQ fortwo comes with a 7 kW on-board charger as standard, but you can also opt for a 22 kW on-board charger, which enables you to charge in around an hour.
The time it takes to charge your car depends on several factors, including the ambient temperature, the state of the battery, and the charging rate. Generally, it takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes to charge from zero to full using a typical 7 kW charging point. However, most drivers only ""top up" their EV, so charging times are often much shorter.
Charging your electric vehicle at work can be more expensive than charging at home due to higher energy tariffs and a 20% VAT rate compared to the 5% VAT on domestic electricity. The cost of charging your car will depend on the electricity rate and the type of charge point.
To find the most cost-effective and convenient way to charge your Smart EQ fortwo at work, you may need to consider the options available at your workplace. Some workplaces may offer charging stations as an employee benefit, while others may have partnerships with charge point suppliers. Additionally, government grants are available to help accelerate the provision of EV charge points, and some companies offer fully installed charge points for a fixed price.
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Charging in public
Public charging for your Smart EQ fortwo is available at various locations, including supermarkets and public car parks. The cost of charging your car in public varies and is driven by the cost of electricity, the type of charge point, and the efficiency of the motor.
The Smart EQ fortwo uses a Type 2 connector for public charging. This Type 2 inlet is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel, where you would usually find a petrol flap. The vehicle can be slow and fast charged from public points, depending on the network and type of charge unit. Slow charging usually requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, while fast charging requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable. Both cables are typically supplied with the vehicle.
On a public charger, an activation process is required to initiate charging. This may involve using Zap-Pay, an RFID card, or a smartphone app linked to a pre-registered account. Contactless pay-as-you-go options are also becoming more common. Once activated, the unit will conduct further connection and account checks before charging your vehicle.
It is worth noting that the Smart EQ fortwo does not support rapid charging. The vehicle is fitted with a 7 kW on-board charger as standard for AC charging, but a 22 kW on-board charger is available as an option. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 7 kW or 22 kW, the Smart EQ fortwo will only charge at the on-board charger's maximum level.
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Charging standards and inlets
The Smart EQ fortwo uses two charging standards for its inlets – Type 1 and Type 2. The Type 1 inlet is used for charging in the US and Canada, and the Type 2 inlet is used for charging in Europe. The Type 2 inlet is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel, where you would typically find a petrol flap. This inlet is used for charging at home or at public slow and fast AC points.
The Type 1 charge adapter is plugged into a 110V outlet in a standard garage in the US. The Type 1 inlet can also be used with a 240V outlet, which is the standard voltage in Europe. The stock Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) cable that comes with the Smart EQ fortwo is compatible with both 120V and 240V outlets.
The Type 2 inlet is used for carrying high power during rapid DC charging from a connector. This type of inlet is commonly found in Europe, where 400V+ 3 Phase service is widely available. The Smart EQ fortwo does not support rapid charging, so the Type 2 inlet is used for slow and fast charging at home or public charging points.
The specific charging connector used by the Smart EQ fortwo is dependent on the region and the available infrastructure. In the US, the Smart EQ fortwo comes with a Type 1 charge adapter, while in Europe, it uses a Type 2 connector for home and public charging. It is important to note that the Type 2 inlet is different from rapid and ultra-rapid charging, which may use different connectors.
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Cost of charging
The cost of charging a Smart EQ fortwo varies depending on the type of charging point and the efficiency of the motor. The cost of electricity is the primary factor influencing the charging cost. Home charging is generally the most cost-effective option, with public rapid charging being the most expensive due to higher energy tariffs and a 20% VAT rate compared to the 5% VAT on domestic electricity.
The Smart EQ fortwo comes with a standard 7 kW on-board charger for AC charging, but a 22 kW on-board charger is also available as an option. This means that even when connected to a fast charger, the Smart EQ fortwo will only charge at the on-board charger's maximum level. Charging at home typically takes around 2 hours and 31 minutes from zero to full, but most drivers "top up" their vehicles, resulting in shorter charging times.
The cost of charging on public charge points will vary, and some networks may charge a higher tariff for rapid charging. For example, the Pod Point Network assumes a tariff of 44p/kWh for rapid charging, while the standard home charging tariff is 28p/kWh.
Zapmap provides a monthly charging Price Index that calculates the average PAYG pricing based on real charging sessions over the previous three months. This can be a useful resource for estimating the cost of charging your Smart EQ fortwo. Additionally, their Public Charging Calculator can help determine the cost of charging on public charge points, allowing for personalisation based on electricity costs and the desired level of charge.
Overall, the cost of charging a Smart EQ fortwo will depend on various factors, including the type of charging point, electricity tariffs, and the efficiency of the motor. Home charging is usually the most cost-effective option, while public rapid charging tends to be the most expensive.
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Frequently asked questions
The charging time varies depending on the type of charger and the ambient temperature. With a typical 7kW home charging point, it takes approximately 2 hours and 31 minutes to charge from zero to full. However, using a 22kW on-board charger, you can charge the car in around an hour.
The Smart EQ fortwo uses a Type 2 connector for home and public charging. For rapid and ultra-rapid charging, it uses a None connector.
The cost of charging varies depending on the type of charge point and the electricity rate. Home charging is generally the most cost-effective option, while public rapid charging tends to be the most expensive due to higher energy tariffs and VAT rates.
