Is the Smart car electric or gas?

Both exist: older Smart cars were sold with gasoline (and in Europe, some diesel) engines, while all new Smart vehicles on sale today are fully electric. In the U.S., Smart switched to electric-only sales from 2017 until the brand exited the market after 2019; globally, Smart has been an electric-only brand since 2020 under the “smart” and “smart EQ”/“#” model lines.

How the Smart brand evolved from gas to electric

Smart began with small gasoline (and some diesel) city cars in Europe in the late 1990s, added an electric version in the early 2010s, and then phased out combustion engines to go all-electric by 2020. The specifics vary by region and model year.

The list below outlines the major milestones that determine whether a Smart is gas or electric, depending on when and where it was sold.

• 1998–2007 (Europe): First-generation Smart city-coupé/fortwo sold mainly with small gasoline engines; a 0.8 cdi diesel was also offered in some markets.
• 2007–2014 (Europe) and 2008–2015 (U.S.): Second-generation fortwo (W451) primarily gasoline; limited diesel in Europe. Pilot/limited runs of Electric Drive began in Europe, with broader availability by 2012–2013.
• 2013–2016 (U.S.): Both gasoline fortwo and the fortwo Electric Drive (ED) were sold.
• 2017–2019 (U.S./Canada): Smart went electric-only (fortwo Electric Drive/EQ) before withdrawing from North America after the 2019 model year.
• 2014–2019 (Europe): Third-generation fortwo/forfour (W453) offered with gasoline engines; electric versions (EQ fortwo/forfour) sold alongside and increasingly became the focus.
• 2020–present (Global): Smart brand is electric-only. Legacy EQ fortwo/forfour wound down as the brand pivoted to new EVs developed with Geely, notably the smart #1 (launched 2022) and smart #3 (launched 2023–2024, market-dependent).

In short, if you are looking at a new Smart today, it’s electric. If you’re considering a used Smart, especially one from before 2020 (or in the U.S., before 2017), it could be gasoline—or electric—depending on the specific model and year.

How to tell if a specific Smart is electric or gas

If you’re examining a particular car, these practical checks can confirm whether it’s an EV or a gasoline model.

1. Look for badging: “Electric Drive” or “EQ” branding indicates electric; plain “fortwo/forfour” without EQ on older cars often means gasoline.
2. Check for a charge port: EVs have a charge flap (often where a fuel door would be, or on the grille/fender, depending on model/year).
3. Tailpipe test: A visible exhaust pipe indicates a gasoline (or diesel) model; no tailpipe suggests an EV.
4. Fuel door and cap: Presence of a traditional fuel filler is a gasoline/diesel sign.
5. Instrument cluster: EVs show battery state-of-charge and range rather than a fuel gauge.
6. VIN and registration: The VIN decode and registration documents will specify “electric” or “gasoline.”
7. Sound and startup: EVs are nearly silent and don’t idle; gasoline models crank and idle audibly.

Using a combination of these checks—especially the presence of EQ/ED badging, a charge port, and the absence of a tailpipe—will quickly identify the powertrain with high confidence.

Model cheat sheet: Smart by generation and powertrain

This quick-reference list summarizes popular Smart models and what powertrains they offered over time.

• smart city-coupé / fortwo (W450, 1998–2007, Europe): Mostly gasoline; some markets offered 0.8 cdi diesel. No mainstream retail EV.
• smart fortwo (W451, 2007–2014 Europe; 2008–2015 U.S.): Predominantly gasoline; fortwo Electric Drive rolled out from 2012–2013 in many markets.
• smart fortwo (W453, 2014–2020s Europe; 2016 U.S. gas): Gasoline and Electric Drive/EQ variants sold in Europe; U.S. saw 2016 gasoline only, then 2017–2019 electric-only before exit. EQ fortwo production later wound down as Smart shifted to new EVs.
• smart forfour (first gen 2004–2006, Europe): Gasoline/diesel only. Second gen W453 (2014–2020s Europe): gasoline early on; EQ forfour offered in late 2010s before discontinuation.
• smart #1 (2022–present): Fully electric compact crossover (global markets, availability varies by region).
• smart #3 (2023/2024–present): Fully electric coupe-SUV, larger than #1 (market-dependent rollout).

If you encounter a fortwo or forfour with “EQ” or “Electric Drive” in the name, it’s electric. The “#” series (like #1 and #3) are also exclusively electric.

Regional notes

Availability differed by market and year. The U.S. story is simpler—gasoline fortwo models dominated from 2008 through 2016, then Smart went all-electric from 2017 until leaving North America after 2019. In Europe and other regions, gasoline and electric variants overlapped longer, with a full transition to electric from 2020 onward.

Bottom line

New Smart cars are electric-only. Used Smarts may be gasoline or electric, depending on model and year—so check badges, ports, and paperwork if you need certainty.

Summary

Smart sold gasoline (and some diesel) cars for its first two decades, introduced Electric Drive models in the early 2010s, and became an all-electric brand from 2020. In the U.S., sales were gasoline through 2016 and electric-only from 2017–2019 before the brand’s exit. Today’s Smart models—such as the #1 and #3—are exclusively electric.

How does a smart car charge?

And wait for it to start charging. Walk away crack on with your day although we all ain’t got much to do at the. Moment.

Are smart cars all-electric now?

Are all Smart cars electric? Yes, and they have been for some time. Both the ForTwo and ForFour models have been all-electric since 2019, and now, both have been replaced by the all-electric Smart #1 SUV.

What kind of gas does a smart car take?

A gasoline-powered Smart car takes premium unleaded gasoline (91 octane or higher), as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure optimal engine performance and efficiency, though it can run on regular unleaded. However, using regular fuel may lead to reduced power and fuel economy. For electric Smart cars, no gasoline is needed. 
For Gasoline-Powered Smart Cars

• Fuel Type: Premium unleaded gasoline. 
• Minimum Octane: 91 octane is recommended in the owner’s manual. 
• Why Premium Fuel is Recommended: Smart cars often have high-compression engines. Using a lower octane fuel can cause the engine to detect detonation (or knocking) and the engine’s computer will adjust the timing to prevent damage. This adjustment results in less power, lower fuel economy, and increased engine wear. 
• Can You Use Regular Fuel? Yes, you can use regular unleaded gas, but it’s not the recommended fuel. The engine will still run, but its performance will be compromised. 

For Electric Smart Cars 

• No Gasoline Needed: Modern Smart cars sold in the U.S. are battery electric vehicles (EVs) and do not use gasoline at all.

What is a disadvantage of a smart car?

A major disadvantage of a Smart car is its limited practicality due to its extremely small size, which restricts it to only two seats, small luggage space, and a reduced level of safety compared to larger vehicles. Other downsides include slow performance with limited acceleration and speed, potentially “jumpy” transmissions, and specialized maintenance that can be costly and difficult to find a mechanic for. 
Practicality and Size 

• Passenger & Cargo Limitations: With only two seats and limited luggage space, Smart cars are not practical for families or transporting large items. 
• Safety Concerns: Due to its compact size, a Smart car offers less protection in crashes compared to larger vehicles, increasing the risk of injury for occupants. 
• Visibility: Its small size can make it harder for other drivers to see, especially on highways or during merging and passing maneuvers. 

Performance and Ride Quality 

• Speed and Acceleration: Opens in new tabSmart cars are known for being slower than most cars, with limited top speeds and slow acceleration.
• Transmission “Jumps”: Opens in new tabThe computer-controlled manual transmission can feel “jumpy” in automatic mode, requiring a gentle touch on the accelerator to drive smoothly.

Maintenance and Cost 

• Specialized Repairs: Finding a mechanic willing and able to work on a Smart car can be challenging, and when found, the parts and service can be expensive.

Aesthetics and Value

• Subjective Design: The unique and compact design of a Smart car is not appealing to everyone. 
• Depreciation: Some drivers find that Smart cars may not hold their value well over time.