smart EQ forfour (2018)
The complete guide to the smart EQ forfour (2018), from the car itself to running costs and charging.
Last updated: Nov 18, 2024 • 7 min read
KEY STATS
Range (WLTP):
81 miles
Electric cost/mile:
6.44p
Rapid charge:
No
EV type:
Battery electric
Overview
The smart EQ forfour is, as the name implies, a slightly larger variant of an electric smart car that seats up to four people, giving a little more flexibility for users. This makes a fine city car, but modest range and no rapid charging keeps it fairly confined to the urban environment. 7 kW on-board charger comes as standard, but a 22kW on-board charger is optionally available that will enable you to charge in around an hour.
Charging Details
Charging time for a Smart EQ forfour
The table below shows the estimated time to charge your EQ forfour from empty to full. For rapid charging, we show the time to charge from 20% - 80%, as charging tends to slow outside this range to protect the battery.
| Charging method | Typically found at | Charging time* | Range/hour** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty to full | |||
| 3-pin plug | Home | 8 h | 10 m/h |
| 3.6kW | Home / Work | 5 h | 16 m/h |
| 7kW | Home / Work / Public Locations | 3 h | 30 m/h |
| 22kW | Work / Public Locations | 1 h | 96 m/h |
| 20%-80% | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 50kW | Public Locations | N/A | N/A |
| 150kW | Public Locations | N/A | N/A |
* Based on Pod Point estimates, charging time can differ based on the ambient temperature, the state of the battery (e.g. empty or half full) and variation in charging rate. Max charging rate may also be limited by the vehicle.
** Range per hour is the number of miles you can expect to get from an hour of charging at the relevant rate.
Connector type and charging rates
You can charge your Smart EQ forfour with a Type 2 connector at home, work or at a public charging point.
|
Where you can charge a Smart EQ forfour
You can charge your Smart EQ forfour conveniently at home, plug-in when you arrive at work or top up when you're out and about at locations including supermarkets and public car parks.
At Home
7kW Solo Charger Find out more about Smart Home Charging |
At Work
7kW Solo Charger* |
Built Environment Charging
7kW Solo or Twin Charger |
On Public Networks
7kW Solo Charger & Rapid Charging** |
* Other charging options are also available, speak to our team for more information.
** Available for vehicles with either CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.
Cost to charge
Cost of charging a Smart EQ forfour
The cost of charging your car will vary between home, work and public chargepoints (below are our estimates). Charging on the Pod Point Network can be accessed through the Pod Point App.
| Place | Avg. cost | Cost/mile |
|---|---|---|
| Home (empty to full)* | £4.44 | 6.44p |
| Public rapid chargers (20%-80%)** | N/A | N/A |
* Assumes tariff of 28p/kWh. The cost of home charging will vary depending on your electricity rate.
** Assumes tariff of 44p/kWh applicable to most network rapid chargers as of April 2022.
Vehicle Specs
Range
| Official range (WLTP*) | 81 miles |
| Pod Point Confidence Range** | 69 miles |
* For information on "WLTP" and more, please visit our Electric Vehicle Dictionary.
** Pod Point Confidence Range is the maximum distance we’d be confident driving on electric power between charges. Real range will depend on various factors including driving conditions, personal driving style, outside temperature, heating / air conditioning, etc.
Performance
| 0-62 mph | 12.7 seconds |
| Top speed | 81 mph |
| Engine power | 80 bhp / 60 kW |
| Torque | 160 Nm |
Battery
| Battery size | 17.6 kWh |
| Usable battery (Pod Point estimate) | 15.8 kWh |
| Official battery efficiency (WLTP) | 265 Wh/mile |
| Battery efficiency (Pod Point estimate) | 230 Wh/mile |
Environmental impact
| Official MPG (WLTP) | N/A |
| Official CO2 emissions (WLTP) | 0 gCO2/km |
| CO2 emissions from UK grid electricity usage (Pod Point calculated)* | 27 gCO2/km |
* This metric estimates the environmental impact of driving your electric vehicle based on how the electricity that powers your car is generated. We take the average carbon intensity across the UK grid measured throughout 2021 to calculate the expected grams of CO2 emitted per 1 km driven. The actual number will vary by region, when you charge (e.g. carbon intensity is usually lower overnight period) and whether your electricity comes from more renewable sources than the average.
Purchase, Tax & Grants
The Smart EQ forfour is only eligible for the EV chargepoint grant, but you will benefit from £0 road tax and £0 London Congestion Charge.
Purchase
| OTR price* | £22,295 |
* On-the-road price including Plug-in Grant, if applicable.
Tax
| Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £0 |
| Years 2-5 | £0 |
| Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax year | BiK tax rate | Annual BiK value |
|---|---|---|
| For cars registered after 6 April 2020 | ||
| 22/23 | 2% | £445 |
| 23/24 | 2% | £445 |
| 24/25 | 2% | £445 |
* For further information including how to calculate personal BiK liabilities, please visit our Electric Car Tax guide.
| Local taxes | Amount |
|---|---|
| London Congestion Zone Charge* | £0 |
| Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge** | £0 |
* A £10 annual registration fee will still apply to each vehicle.
** For further information on London's Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), please visit our ULEZ guide.
| Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Insurance group | 11 |
Grants*
| Grant name | Eligibility | Amount | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| OZEV EVHS Grant | ✔ | £350 | Can be used to reduce the cost of a home charger with installation |
| OZEV Plug-in Grant | ✘ | £0 | Used to reduce the cost of the vehicle |
| EST Domestic Charge Point Grant (currently unavailable) | ✔ | £300 | Can be used in Scotland in addition to the EVHS grant to reduce the cost of a home charger with installation |
* Prices for vehicles are typically displayed with the Plug-in grant discount already applied. Home charging grants are dependent on status of the grant, and subject to eligibility requirements of the applicant as well as the vehicle.