smart #1 EV Tech Details – SEA Platform, Ternary Battery Pack

The smart #1 EV SUV is coming to Malaysia in Q4 2023!

The smart #1 is set to make its local market entry later this year, with the EV SUV model already making its public appearance earlier this month. Ahead of its planned debut, we decided to give a quick tour on the EV technology that the smart #1 harnesses, in order to give you a better understanding of this EV.

As we mentioned previously, the smart #1 is borne out of the partnership between two automotive giants – Daimler Group (Mercedes-Benz) and Geely Group. While the #1 is designed by Mercedes-Benz in-house design team, bulk of its underbones including the battery techs are sourced from Geely.

The smart #1 underpins Geely's SEA EV platform

For starters, the smart #1 underpins Geely’s proprietary Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) EV platform, which is an open-sourced electric vehicle architecture used in many EVs under the Geely brand. Thanks to its modularity and the ability to fit both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) setups, the SEA platform can be used in many forms and types of EVs. The long-list of SEA-based EVs include the Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV, Volvo EX30, Polestar 4, Zeekr 009 MPV, and many more.

Aside from sheer modularity, the SEA platform also supports both 400-volt and 800-volt battery architectures, with the smart #1 using the former. In spite of this, the smart #1 is still capable of supporting DC fast charging at up to 150 kW rate, while the slower AC charging is capped at 22 kW. This allows the smart #1’s 66-kWh Ternary battery pack to be charged from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes via the former, while the latter takes less than three hours to fully recharge.

Just like many EVs out there, the smart #1 can also be transformed into a giant power bank, thanks to its vehicle-2-load (V2L) support. With rates up to 3.3 kW, this allows you to use the smart #1 as your main source of power when going for off-the-grid adventures, camping escapades, but also during emergency situations where your main power source has been cut off.

The smart #1 is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor

Performance-wise, the smart #1 is powered by a single, rear-mounted (RWD) electric motor made of silicon carbide (SiC) rated at 268 HP (200 kW) and 343 NM – which is more than enough to propel this sub-two-tonne EV from nought to 100 KM/H in 6.7 seconds – one of the fastest in its class. Together with the aforementioned 66-kWh battery pack, the smart #1 boasts a maximum EV range of 440 KM, according to WLTP standards.

Those impressive acceleration figures warrant the smart #1 to have beefy stopping power, and that’s exactly what this EV SUV offers. Thanks to its regenerative braking system, the #1 can be braked from 100 KM/H to standstill in a distance no more than 37 M – a rather impressive for a sub-two-tonne EV.

Aside from that, the #1’s RWD setup, plus its low-sitting stance also promises a pretty dynamic driving experience that is scarce in other tall-riding and heavy EV SUVs. Also contributing to this is the smart #1’s three selectable driving modes – Eco, Comfort and Sport – all featuring three different steering assist levels and three levels of regenerative braking. Elsewhere, the staple single pedal driving mode also grants drivers with better flexibility in driving their #1, especially in the traffic-laden areas like the Klang Valley.

The smart #1 will be the first EV model to be sold under Proton's new subsidiary, PRO-NET

As we mentioned earlier, the smart #1 EV SUV is due to enter our local EV market some time in Q4 this year, and it will be the first EV model to be launched under our national automaker’s new subsidiary, cordially known as Proton New Technology (PRO-NET). Apart from our local market, PRO-NET is also the official importer and distributor of smart EVs to the Thailand market.

So folks, what do you think of the EV technologies in smart #1? How much do you think PRO-NET and smart Malaysia should price this EV SUV model? As always, don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below…