CAN THE SMART FORTWO EV GO 140 MILES WITH JUST 68 MILES OF RANGE? WE GIVE IT A TRY (LOVELAND TRIALS)

EV Channels Review

The 2015 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, designed primarily as a city car with an EPA range of 68 miles, was tested on the challenging Loveland Trials, aiming for the summit of Loveland Pass, 75 miles away. The vehicle, lacking fast charging capabilities, was driven as far as possible before turning back to utilize regenerative braking. Despite its city-car intentions and limited range, the Smart ForTwo EV exceeded expectations, achieving 78.2 miles before reaching critical battery levels. The reviewer highlighted its fun, nimble city driving experience, comparing it to a go-kart, and noted its surprising stability at highway speeds, attributed to its German engineering roots. However, the car's inability to fast charge and its limited range make it unsuitable for longer journeys or challenging mountain passes without significant planning. The reviewer concluded that while the car is underrated for its real-world range (consistently exceeding the EPA estimate), its 68-mile range is sufficient for city driving, and at its $7,000 price point, it offers good value as a dedicated urban vehicle.