How Long to Charge Smart #5?

A 7 kW home wallbox is the most common home charging setup. It uses a single-phase 32A connection or a three-phase connection at lower amperage. For most drivers, this is all you need. Plug in when you get home, wake up to a full battery.

The Smart #5 accepts up to 22 kW AC, so it can use the full 7 kW from your wallbox. At this rate, you add about 31 km of range every hour. For a typical daily commute of 40-60 km, you only need 1-2 hours of charging.

AC charging is gentler on the battery than DC fast charging. There is no charging curve to worry about. The car charges at a steady rate from empty to full. Overnight home charging is the cheapest and most convenient way to keep your EV topped up.

Public AC 11 kW chargers are common at shopping centers, workplaces, hotels, and parking garages. They use a three-phase connection at 16A per phase.

The Smart #5 can use the full 11 kW, adding about 49 km of range per hour. A couple of hours at a shopping center gives you meaningful range back.

AC charging is steady and predictable. Unlike DC fast charging, there is no speed taper as the battery fills. You get the same rate from 0% to 100%.

Public AC 22 kW chargers use a three-phase connection at 32A per phase. They are less common than 11 kW chargers but can be found at some public charging locations and workplace installations.

The Smart #5 supports AC charging at up to 22 kW, so it can take full advantage of 22 kW chargers. This makes it one of the faster AC charging options in its segment.

Whether a 22 kW charger is worth seeking out depends on your car. If your car's onboard charger tops out at 11 kW, a 22 kW charger offers no speed benefit. Check your car's specs before assuming faster AC charging.

The Smart #5 peaks at 200 kW, but only at lower states of charge. As the battery fills, the car's battery management system reduces charging power to protect battery cells from damage. This is normal and happens on every electric car.

Think of it like pouring water into a glass. You can pour fast when the glass is mostly empty, but you have to slow down as it gets full to avoid overflow. The battery works the same way. Pushing too much power into cells that are already near full generates excess heat and degrades battery life.

For road trips, the most time-efficient strategy is to charge from 10-20% up to 80%, then continue driving. Spending an extra 20-30 minutes for the last 20% is almost never worth it unless you need the range to reach your destination.