Smart #1 2026 China update: 800V platform, 12-minute charging and specs

Smart revealed an updated #1 for China with an 800V platform and 12-minute fast charging. Here’s what changes — and why Europe still has no launch date.

Author: Daria Kashirina

00:43 21-07-2026

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Holding off on a Smart #1 purchase in Europe just for the promised 12-minute charging isn’t necessary yet. The brand has revealed a heavily updated electric car for the Chinese market, but hasn’t announced a timeline for its arrival in the EU, European trim levels, or WLTP-cycle figures.

The biggest change is hidden under a familiar body. The updated #1 gets an 800-volt electrical system with silicon carbide components and support for 6C charging. The manufacturer claims a 10–80% top-up in just 12 minutes. The current European #1 tops out at 150 kW and needs about 30 minutes for the same range, so the potential stopping time could be cut by more than half.

According to Chinese certification data, the rear electric motor produces 245 kW, or roughly 333 hp. A 61.52 kWh battery delivers 535 km on the CLTC cycle. That figure can’t be compared directly with the European result: the current Smart #1 Premium covers up to 439 km on the stricter WLTP cycle, despite using a 66 kWh battery.

The exterior looks almost unchanged, but a lidar unit now sits on the roof, and extra cameras have appeared on the front fenders. The driver-assistance suite uses 31 sensors and an Nvidia processor rated at up to 200 TOPS.

Inside, there’s a 15.4-inch display, a new 4-nanometer chip, and the Flyme Auto infotainment system. Smart says the Chinese-market car has received more than 200 changes overall. It’s not quite right yet to call this a fully new platform. Length stays at 4,270 mm, width at 1,822 mm, height at 1,636 mm, and the wheelbase remains 2,750 mm. This is mainly about a new electrical and electronic architecture, the powertrain, the charging system, and the digital features. For European buyers, the key question is still unanswered.

Smart warns that Chinese and European versions may differ due to local regulations and certification requirements. So the current #1 hasn’t suddenly become obsolete — it’s only worth waiting if Europe’s launch, pricing, and a real-world WLTP gain get confirmed.

Earlier, SPEEDME.RU reported that Smart had updated the electric #1 crossover for the Chinese market.