Slowly but surely, Smart has been making the transition from internal combustion engines to all-electric propulsion in recent years.
While many automakers are only now bringing their first EVs to market, the Daimler-owned city car specialist sold its first all-electric ForTwo in 2009. Since then, Smart has been expanding its electric vehicle portfolio. Right now, all of its models are available with all-electric propulsion.
It should come as no surprise then that Smart will become one of the first carmakers to phase out internal combustion engines. An interesting announcement on the company’s German sales website caught the attention of MB Passion Blog.
Customers in Germany have until March 31, 2019, to order a gasoline-powered model
It says that from 2020, Smart “will only drive electrically.” Anyone who loves gasoline engines has a limited time to order a combustion-engined ForTwo or ForFour until March 31, 2019. Customers can order gasoline-powered Smart models without placing a deposit.
Smart is running a radio and web campaign in Germany called “Secure the last petrol engine now.” That makes it pretty clear that the company will stick to the plan announced earlier this year.
The automaker has already phased out the sporty Brabus variants of its models on May 31 this year and the remaining gasoline engines are next in line. This makes 2019 the last year one will be able to order gasoline-powered ForTwo Coupe, ForTwo Cabriolet, and ForTour.
The company is going all-electric in Europe from 2020
Interestingly, a company spokeswoman said she couldn’t confirm an exact date for the phasing out gasoline engines. Smart was initially expected to stop building them at the end of May 2019. However, the representative didn’t want to confirm that deadline either.
Smart is pushing for the phasing out of its combustion-engined variants because its current gasoline-powered models are Euro 6c compliant. Those vehicles cannot get type approval in Europe beyond August 31, 2019. Still, they could ask for an exemption until December 13, 2019.
It remains to be seen how going all-electric will affect Smart’s sales in Europe. In the United States, sales decreased dramatically since the company phased out gasoline models last year.
