Smart, relaxed by the Geely and Daimler groups, wants to slow down on electric cars, while demand is decreasing. This is why the manufacturer will offer its SUV #5 in a new plug-in hybrid version.
If you follow automotive news, you probably know that from 2035, sales of new thermal cars will be strictly prohibited in Europe. And this despite the protests of many manufacturers and certain governments. However, this should not be done in the blink of an eye.
A look back
At the same time, registrations of electric cars experienced a slowdown, whether in the world, in Europe or across France. We saw this through recently revealed figures. Obviously, this does not reassure brands. Many of them have suffered declines, and want to review their plans for the future. As a result, Volvo and even Ford have finally given up on their objective of only selling electric cars from 2030.
And they are not the only ones. This is also the case for Smart, which currently only markets electric cars. But the firm, which belongs to the Daimler group and the Chinese Geely, does not want to close any doors. This is how a spokesperson for the brand confirmed that a plug-in hybrid version of its SUV #5 was in preparation. It was the head of Smart’s European operations who spoke to journalists from the British site Autocar.
The latter explains: “ we view individual mobility powered by combustion engines and, in particular, by hybrid engines, as a transition technology towards purely electric driving. It is important to respond to the increasingly diverse demands and wishes of customers. Smart cannot exclude any technological solution for the future at present “. In addition, we know that PHEV technology is experiencing growing success in China, one of the largest markets for the manufacturer.
For the moment, technical information on this new version remains unknown. However, it is said that it will take on the characteristics of the new Geely Galaxy 7 EM-i. This features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, combined with a 215-horsepower electric motor. Everything is coupled to an LFP (lithium – iron – phosphate) battery of 8.5 or 19.1 kWh, offering a maximum range of 120 kilometers CLTC. Either approximately 102 kilometers with WLTP approval.
-A contested choice
As a reminder, the current electric version can travel up to 650 kilometers with our European cycle, thanks to its large 100 kWh battery. All with power included between 339 and 588 horsepower for the Brabus version with two engines. If this remains to be confirmed, it is said that the marketing of the PHEV version should start sometime in 2026, while the electric variant will arrive in the coming months, probably this summer.
However, everything is not rosy, because we know that the plug-in hybrid is a much more polluting engine than it seems. The cause in particular is drivers who do not recharge the battery, but also approval tests which are favorable to it. However, this should change with the arrival of the new Euro 6e bis standard, which introduces much stricter tests. What could hasten the disappearance of PHEV cars shortly, when they risk being subject to a higher penalty.
You should know that within the Geely group, Smart is not the only brand to give up selling only electric cars. This is also the case for Lotus, whose CEO Feng Quingfeng announced that it would present models equipped with “Super Hybrid” technology. It is possible that the Eletre SUV will be entitled to it, while another raised model rivaling the Porsche Macan is planned during the year 2025. At the same time, Zeekr will also launch three PHEV models in the coming months.
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