Smart #1's 800V Overhaul Promises 12-Minute Top-Up
Smart has unveiled a significantly updated #1 in China, bringing a trio of changes—an 800-volt electrical architecture, a more powerful electric motor, and a luxury-oriented makeover—that will reach UK showrooms in the coming months.
The most talked-about upgrade is the move to 800V, which allows the same 66 kWh battery pack to accept charge far faster. Smart says the car will go from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes, down from over half an hour in the current model. While the company hasn’t published a precise peak power figure, Chinese regulatory documents suggest a DC charging capability approaching 360 kW.
The powertrain also gets a new electric motor developed by part-owner Geely. Output climbs 56 bhp to 328 bhp, although torque dips slightly to 320 Nm. That translates to a 0–62 mph time of 6.7 seconds. Estimated range remains broadly unchanged, with the Chinese CLTC figure of 331 miles equating to roughly 272 miles on Europe’s WLTP cycle.
Inside and out, the car adopts a more upmarket feel: softer colour palettes, new LED headlights, fresh wheel designs, and the option of a contrasting gold roof. A redesigned cabin features more luxurious materials and seats. The overhauled infotainment system and a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor seen on the Chinese-market car have yet to be confirmed for Europe, and no details have emerged about the range-topping Brabus version.
What the Upgraded #1 Means for the Premium Compact EV Race
The 800V advantage resets compact EV expectations
By moving to 800V, Smart pulls off a feat few rivals in the £30,000–£45,000 bracket can match. A 10–80% charge in 12 minutes transforms the #1 from a city runabout into a credible long-distance option, removing one of the biggest psychological barriers to EV ownership. That speed relies on 360 kW chargers, however, and the UK’s ultra-rapid network is still sparse. In practice, early adopters will need to plan around hubs such as Gridserve or IONITY stations.
Geely’s motor pushes performance but keeps range steady
The new motor lifts the #1’s punch without shrinking the range, suggesting Geely has focused on efficiency. The torque dip is small and unlikely to be felt in everyday driving. Crucially, the battery chemistry and thermal management appear to be shared with the existing pack, indicating the 800V switch is a packaging and electronics exercise rather than a costly cell overhaul—important for keeping the price flat.
Technology gap between China and Europe looms large
The Chinese #1 debuts with a LiDAR sensor and AI-enhanced infotainment that could enable higher-level driver assistance. If those features are muted or absent on UK cars, Smart risks being seen as offering a watered-down product in one of its key markets. European regulators’ slower pace on autonomous-driving approvals and stricter data-privacy rules make it plausible that the full sensor suite won’t arrive immediately. That could disappoint buyers who have seen the Chinese demo footage.
Luxury pivot signals a brand repositioning
Ditching bright, youthful colours for muted shades and a gold-roof option signals that Smart wants to move upmarket, perhaps to distance itself from cheaper Chinese electric crossovers now entering Europe. This could work if the interior quality matches the ambition, but it also blurs the line with Mercedes’ own compact EQ models. Smart will need careful messaging to avoid internal cannibalisation while justifying a potential price creep above £30,000.
What the New Smart #1 Means for UK Buyers and Rivals
- For UK buyers prioritising rapid charging: The 12-minute claim is based on a 360 kW charger. Check the availability of such ultra-rapid stations on your usual routes before counting on that speed; a 150 kW unit will still be quick but won’t deliver the headline time.
- Fleet operators and salary-sacrifice schemes: The unchanged starting price of just under £30,000 keeps the #1 competitive in benefit-in-kind terms. The faster charging could improve vehicle utilisation in applications where cars are in constant use.
- Rival manufacturers: The #1 sets a new charging-speed benchmark in the compact EV segment. Models such as the Mini Electric, Peugeot e-2008 and the upcoming Jeep Avenger EV will look slow on paper without an 800V response. Watch for accelerated development timelines from Stellantis and BMW in this class.
- Dealers and importers: Smart has not confirmed which of the Chinese-market technology features will reach the UK. Be prepared for customer questions about LiDAR and AI functionality, and manage expectations until official European specifications are released, likely at the UK launch event in the next few months.
Risk & Opportunity Assessment
| Commercial Risk | Medium | The 12-minute charge claim depends on a 360 kW charger network that is still rare in the UK. If buyers cannot access that speed, the car’s headline advantage over rivals is materially diluted. |
| Competitive Risk | High | Introducing 800V in a sub-£30,000 EV puts immediate pressure on competitors such as Mini, Peugeot and MG, which lack equivalent fast-charging capability at this price point and may lose sales to the #1. |
| Regulatory Risk | Low | No new regulations are mentioned; the vehicle complies with existing UK and EU type-approval rules. Any delay in LiDAR-related self-driving certification would solely affect optional advanced features. |
| Reputation Risk | Medium | If the European #1 arrives without the LiDAR and AI infotainment shown in China, early adopters who followed the launch could perceive the product as downgraded, harming Smart’s premium ambition. |
| Technology Disruption | High | 800V architecture in a mass-market compact EV sets a precedent that could force the entire segment to follow. Charging speed becomes a battleground, accelerating investment in both vehicle and charging infrastructure. |
| Commercial Opportunity | High | With flat pricing and class-leading fast charging, the #1 can steal share from both upper-mainstream and premium compact EVs. Smart has a window to establish itself as the go-to electric crossover before the next wave of Chinese rivals arrive. |
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