2014 SMART EV To Undercut Nissan Leaf By $5000, But There Is A Catch

When the electric 2014 smart fortwo makes its U.S. debut this spring, it may become the country's most affordable electric car on sale.

In Europe, the smart fortwo electric drive (ED, for short) costs €18,910, or just under $25,000 at current exchange rates. That puts it a good $5,000 lower than the least-expensive EV, the Mitsubishi I-MiEV. The catch: Smart drivers must lease the battery from Daimler for $85 per month.



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vdiv - 9/20/2012 2:31:44 PM

+1 Boost

So what happens if you fail to pay the battery lease? Do a couple of Daimler goons jump out of the bushes, lift the Smart up, and snatch the battery from your car?

Or do they use a big brother telematics system and with a push of a button turn it off while you're in the middle of the highway being chased by a cop for unpaid parking tickets?

Yeah, there is a catch. I'd rather have a Leaf.

vdiv - 9/20/2012 2:34:22 PM

+1 Boost

To lower the price even further Daimler should extend the concept and let you just buy the steering wheel and lease you the rest of the car.

HoustonMidtown - 9/21/2012 7:16:32 AM

+1 Boost

Don't forget the other catch - it's even uglier than the Leaf