Smart EQ fortwo cabrio EV charger: which one fits best?
The standard Smart EQ fortwo cabrio charges at home at up to 4.6 kW on a single phase. This compact city car has a 17.6 kWh battery, and its onboard charger sets the limit: a more powerful charger will not make the standard version charge any faster. Some cars do have an optional 22 kW onboard charger, and those really benefit from a stronger charger. At Wallbox Discounter you therefore choose based on your exact version, not on the highest power. Driving another model from the brand? Our Smart EV charger overview has advice for every model.
For the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio we recommend a charger from our 7.4 kW EV chargers.
Does your car have the optional 22 kW onboard charger? Then one of our 22 kW EV chargers on a three-phase connection fills it in about an hour. Not sure which charger your car has? Check the charging specifications in your vehicle documents or owner's manual.
Charging specifications of the smart EQ fortwo cabrio
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 17.6 kWh (16.7 kWh usable) |
| Maximum AC charging power (standard) | 4.6 kW |
| Maximum AC charging power (optional onboard charger) | 22 kW |
| Range (WLTP) | 130 km |
| Charging connector | Type 2 |
| DC fast charging | Not available |
Which EV charger suits the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio?
Do you have the standard version with the 4.6 kW onboard charger? Then the car never charges faster than 4.6 kW, whatever your charger can deliver. It draws about 20 A on one phase, so a 7.4 kW charger on a single-phase connection gives it that full 4.6 kW. Take care with an 11 kW charger: it supplies 3 x 16 A, and because this car charges on one phase only, it drops to 3.7 kW there. A 22 kW charger can supply more than 16 A per phase, so the standard car also gets its full 4.6 kW from it, but no more.
Many drivers also look at a MID meter, a certified kWh meter built into the charger that records exactly how much electricity your car takes. That way you see your home charging costs separately from the rest of your household consumption. In our range, every charger with a built-in MID meter is a three-phase model, and none of our 7.4 kW chargers has one. If you want a MID meter without losing speed, choose a 22 kW charger with a MID meter: it can supply the 20 A the standard car draws on one phase. An 11 kW model with a MID meter holds it at 3.7 kW. Your installer can tell you what your connection allows.
The Smart EQ fortwo cabrio charges through a Type 2 connection, like almost every modern charger. With a charger that has a fixed cable you need nothing else at home. With a socket model, or for charging on the road, you use a separate Type 2 charging cable.
How long does the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio take to charge?
With the standard 4.6 kW onboard charger you fill an almost empty battery in about 4.5 hours, including charging losses. That applies on a 7.4 kW or 22 kW charger; on an 11 kW charger the car drops to 3.7 kW and needs longer. Either way, charging overnight at home is no problem. Do you have the optional 22 kW onboard charger and a three-phase connection? Then you are done in about 2 hours at 11 kW and in about one hour on a full 22 kW charger. DC fast charging is not possible with this cabrio.
Do I have the standard or the 22 kW onboard charger?
Many cars run with the standard 4.6 kW onboard charger. The 22 kW charger was a factory option at extra cost, and standard in some countries. Depending on market and model year the standard charger can differ, so check the charging specifications in the owner's manual or your vehicle documents, or ask your dealer. For the standard version a high power rating adds nothing: a single-phase 7.4 kW charger is enough. A MID meter is worth weighing if you want to track your charging costs precisely, but in our range it means a three-phase charger.
Other versions of the Smart EQ fortwo
Wallbox Discounter also has EV charger advice for the other versions of the Smart EQ fortwo and for its four-door sibling:
- Smart EQ fortwo coupe, the hardtop version with the same charging profile
- Smart EQ fortwo
- Smart EQ forfour, the four-door with more room
Frequently asked questions
Does the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio need a three-phase charger?
No. For the standard version with the 4.6 kW onboard charger, a single-phase 7.4 kW charger is plenty. Three-phase only pays off if you have the optional 22 kW onboard charger and want to charge faster with an 11 or 22 kW charger. It also matters if you want a built-in MID meter: in our range, those only come on three-phase chargers.
Why does a MID meter matter for this car?
A MID meter records your charging consumption precisely and separately from the rest of your home, so you know exactly what charging your car costs you. With an economical car like the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio, that insight is often more useful than extra charging power. Keep in mind that the standard car only keeps its full 4.6 kW on a MID charger that supplies more than 16 A per phase, such as a 22 kW model; on an 11 kW MID charger (3 x 16 A) it drops to 3.7 kW.
Should I connect the charger myself or use an installer?
We always recommend having the connection done by a qualified installer, as that is safer and important for your insurance. We arrange the installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany through our installation partners: in the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium you can order it together with your charger, in Germany it starts with a free quote. Outside those three countries, have a local qualified installer carry out the work.