provide a perfectly sensible means of transport for most drivers and their families, once new habits are learned.remain considerably lower than traditional fuels, and like the environmental benefits, the positive effects are most apparent when the car is a convenience for short trips, shops and school runs, rather than long-distance transport – exactly the kind of car use that is prevalent in Britain and the worst for the environment.
‘When it comes to low-emission vehicles, the industry is facing a Catch-22 situation,’ said Auto Trader’s director of commercial products, Karolina Edwards-Smajda. ‘The growing appetite of AFVs [alternative fuel vehicles] offer the industry a great opportunity for growth, but for mass adoption, the average price needs to be more accessible to more people. However, with so few vehicles in the market, even second-hand cars are being pushed out of financial reach for most consumers.
The electric option isn’t vastly different to the two-seater EQ ForTwo, but it’s pushing a bit more weight around. Basic, and a touch crude in places, the Smart is the opposite of the BMW i3 in terms of technical investment; it’s a conventional car adapted for electricity. The compromises are fewer than you’d think apart from the big one – or rather, the small one, as the 17.6kWh battery is about the same capacity as some plug-in hybrids now.
The panoramic windscreen extends across the roof all the way to the pert sloping tail with concealed spoiler, so it feels amazingly light inside. Ironic, really – it’s as heavy as a Range Rover.
“For the average driver though it, it is very hard to recommend swapping to electric at this point. Until the economy settles down, the best used car (electric or otherwise) is the one you’ve got as long as it’s reliable and fits your needs”. Yep, that’s the basic thing.