Testimony – This is why Frédéric prefers his old electric Smart to his Tesla Model Y
To the south of Mulhouse, at Frédéric’s place, there is now a second Renault Zoé and a third Tesla, but it’s the Smart ForTwo ED convertible that arrived eight years ago which is the most cherished electric car in the family. Surprising, right!?
He had just come to accompany a friend
In September 2012, Frédéric just wanted to accompany a friend to a dealership to buy a diesel Scenic: “There was a Renault Twizy there. I got to try it and thought it was great, perfect for covering the six or seven kilometers to the train station every morning to get to work. The seller told me that, for the price of the quadricycle, I could get a Renault Zoé with ‘full options.’ With 5,000 euros from the Alsace region and a 7,000 euro environmental bonus, the Intens version was available for around 11,000 euros.”
Our reader was therefore among the 500 Alsatians who were able to benefit from this regional measure: “Without even seeing it, I ordered a Zoé. I was happy to finally be able to buy a French electric car with a range of around 130 km. It was eventually delivered a few months late, in March or April 2013. That didn’t stop me from considering the Twizy. At that time, Ademe offered a subsidy for purchasing this quadricycle [NDLR: 18% off the purchase price for the first 50 Twizys, then 9% for the next 150].”
A double blessing for this family: “I also ordered a Renault Twizy, which arrived in December 2012. At that time, my brother-in-law got a Renault Zoé as well. He was actually the first to encounter the notorious engine failure issue with the Continental engine due to weak bearings. It happened to me too, but after five years, once the warranty had expired. Because of a faulty seal, I also faced coolant leakage that damaged the battery. In the end, Renault covered the warranty for both issues.”
“If you try a Tesla Model 3, you’re screwed!”
After seven years, “this electric multi-purpose vehicle was replaced with a Zoé 135 50 kWh. This was just before the end of the battery rental option, a scheme I valued because it provided coverage for the battery throughout the car’s lifespan. We also experienced an engine failure after six years, outside of the warranty period. Yet Renault covered 90% of the repair cost. I only had to pay 500 euros. I think Renault offers exceptional after-sales service. The warranty period may be shorter, but even afterward, the brand can handle serious problems.”
In this family of four, the shift to electric mobility didn’t stop at the Renault Twizy and Zoé: “In 2019, I discovered the Tesla Model 3. Once you try this model, you’re doomed! I rented one for two weeks twice through ACC’s garage. This experience confirmed that electric cars were already suitable for long trips. For example, we drove to Ardèche and Bourges with this car, which still cost 50,000 euros as a base model. Six months later, in January 2021, the price dropped to 37,000 euros, after deducting the bonus.”
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That was enough to convince Frédéric to buy one: “It was an SR version with an NMC battery that wasn’t charged above 80%. It still had the Intel processor but already black handles. The interior was also black, and I had a trailer hitch. For just an additional 1,000 euros, I upgraded to this car a year and a half later. The new Model 3 came with an LFP battery and a Ryzen processor. Its interior was white. However, to qualify for the subsidy, I couldn’t use the trailer hitch.”
Zoé, Model Y and ForTwo cabriolet
What’s the status of Frédéric’s home’s fleet today? “Instead of a Model 3, we have an entry-level Tesla Model Y with a black interior and a tow hitch that I rely on to transport bicycles. The second Renault Zoé is still here. For charging, we have two Green’Up reinforced outlets, one in the yard, and two 7 kW chargers, one of which has a load shedding feature. Our electricity subscription allows up to 12 kW. I have 7 solar panels—2 in the east, 2 in the south, and 3 in the west—for a peak power output of 3 kW, combined with a 4 kW battery.”
What about the Renault Twizy? “I got rid of it after five years. Since it’s a very bumpy vehicle, I got back pain from using it. That’s when I bought a 2014 Smart ForTwo convertible from a friend. It was 2018, and its odometer read around 24,000 km. It now has 64,500 km on it. At that time, there were no electric convertibles available on the market. I paid 7,500 euros for this ForTwo, with monthly battery rental fees of about 60 euros that stopped after ten years.”
Our reader isn’t shy about saying, “This car is truly magical. Even in winter, and unless it’s raining, I drive the Smart ForTwo in convertible mode. This is something I used to do before with my Honda Civic CRX, and also, in a way, with the Renault Twizy with its sides open to the wind. That way, you can hear the sound of the forest. My two children use the Smart in the same way. Of the three electric cars we have at home, and although it’s the third one in the family, it’s the one we prefer the most.”
Few breakdowns in 12 years
The qualities of the Smart ForTwo convertible make it attractive: “It’s great to drive and easy to park. With its Boost mode, it’s an excellent choice in both the city and on the countryside. However, some drivers often mistake it for a go-kart and become aggressive: even if we’re already at the speed limit or slightly over it, they insist on overtaking us! During the week, I used it to get to the train station and do shopping. Without the roof, the Smart could even hold a fig tree. The kids use it to go to the gym, for example.”
The 19 and 21-year-olds completed their supervised driving lessons on electric vehicles: “It was mainly on the second Zoé, but I also got permission from my insurance to use a Tesla. Both of them took the exam for an automatic transmission license, and each then completed a seven-hour course to drive vehicles with a manual transmission. The first one did it because he’s passionate about cars, and the second because his girlfriend has a gasoline car.”
In twelve years, this Smart hasn’t had many breakdowns: “Recently, we’ve lost heating. The 12 V battery also gave out, and it was a bit chaotic. While I was driving, the ForTwo stopped. I called a mechanic. Since the tow truck was late, I tried to restart it. It worked, but after 500 meters, it broke down again, and I was on the left lane. I turned on the warning lights, which eventually drained the battery. It was raining and cold, yet the windows and roof opened up. Probably some safety procedure.”
What’s the SoH?
Frédéric is quite surprised today: “I didn’t think this Smart ForTwo convertible would last this long. It was like new when I got it. Its body is now covered with a few small scratches from the kids using it. Will I keep it much longer? Am I waiting for a major problem to replace it? And if it’s a repair that isn’t too expensive, will I get it fixed? For now, I still take it in for maintenance every year.”
Regarding after-sales service, our reader is far less enthusiastic than with Renault: “Smart maintenance is done at the Mercedes dealership, and I find it horrendously expensive for barely any service: 180 euros every other year, and 300 the rest of the time. I really have the impression that they don’t do much at all. When I arrive, I get a free espresso from the pin-up who greets customers. But I’ve never been able to get a SoH report for the battery.”
One thing is certain: the range has decreased. “Before, I could rely on at least 70 km for my daily commutes in any season. That’s no longer possible in winter, unless I drive very conservatively, and I have to use parts of the highway. With heating added in my current usage conditions, the range must now be at most 50 km. Still, it’s sufficient for my overall needs, and the heating doesn’t work anyway right now.”
What next?
Frédéric has already thought about the model that could replace his ForTwo: “It could have been a Fiat 500e, with a flexible convertible roof being essential. That model would likely have been more versatile for children. However, this car is larger without offering more trunk space. If the new electric Twingo had been convertible, like the Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud, it would have been a good option. All that’s left now is to hope for a convertible version of the new Smart ForTwo.”
Our reader is very interested in the revival of the micro-city car: “I watched several reports on YouTube and Automobile Propre. The new Smart would be manufactured in China rather than France, which is a shame. Still, honestly, it’s great that it’s making a comeback. For less money, it would offer more features such as heated seats and steering wheel, along with Sennheiser audio. As a base model, it would cost around 20,000 euros, and its range would allow me to drive all the way to Strasbourg. With this new model, it would be completely versatile.”
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Other things might change as well: “Given the aggressiveness of some drivers, I think I’ll take the train again soon, as my company is moving and will be located near a train station once more. Where it is now, it would take me 1 hour and 20 minutes using the train and tram, compared to 35 minutes by car. In the long term, at home, I’d like an off-grid solar solution or a V2G system. With three electric cars in our household, there’s always one that isn’t in use.”
Automobile Propre and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Frédéric for his excellent hospitality, his great responsiveness, and for sharing his experience after we asked our readers to provide feedback.
For reminder, any offensive comments directed at our interviewees, their lives, choices, and/or ideas will be removed. Thank you for your understanding.
Author's Review
Attachment to a car doesn’t always depend on its class, status, or power: the fun and pleasure of driving are also strong reasons for many motorists. Agility and responsiveness can also be experienced with models like the Smart ForTwo or Peugeot iOn.
Notable in this review is Frédéric’s high satisfaction with Renault’s after-sales service. We don’t often receive such feedback. If you feel the same way, feel free to let us know in the comments. After all, covering 90% of the cost for replacing a motor that is no longer under warranty, without any pressure from the customer, is quite uncommon!
Bringing out the Smart ForTwo is an excellent idea. However, like our reader, I can only be disappointed by its Chinese manufacturing for a model whose history is deeply rooted in French automotive heritage. At a time when Chinese brands are moving toward European production, can we hope that this connected vehicle will eventually follow suit?
Philippe SCHWOERER