are smart cars electric or gas

[Pluto]

The term "smart car" causes confusion because it refers to two different things. If you're talking about the Smart car brand (like the Fortwo), the answer is that all new models sold today are exclusively electric. However, if you're using "smart car" as a general descriptor for any vehicle with advanced technology, it can be either electric, gas, or hybrid. The key is understanding the context.

Historically, the Smart brand, owned by Mercedes-Benz, produced small city cars with gasoline engines. However, the brand made a strategic shift to electrification. Since 2017, Smart has been electric-only in the U.S. and other key markets. The current models, developed in a joint venture with Geely, are all-electric vehicles (EVs).

When people use "smart car" more casually, they mean a vehicle with advanced connectivity and driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist. This category, often called connected cars, is not tied to a specific powertrain. You can find these "smart" features on traditional gasoline-powered luxury sedans, hybrid SUVs, and fully electric vehicles alike.

The trend, however, is strongly leaning toward electrification. EVs have a natural advantage for integrating complex computing systems due to their simpler mechanical architecture and powerful electrical systems. But for the foreseeable future, intelligent features will remain available across all powertrain types.

Smart Car Type	Primary Powertrain	Example Models	Key Characteristics
Smart Brand	Electric (current)	Smart #1, Smart Fortwo EQ	Zero tailpipe emissions, compact urban design, electric-only in new markets.
Smart Brand	Gasoline (historical)	Smart Fortwo (pre-2017)	Small gasoline engines, known for ultra-compact size and city maneuverability.
"Smart" Feature Car	Gasoline/Hybrid	Toyota Camry (with Safety Sense), Ford F-150	Advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) paired with a traditional internal combustion engine.
"Smart" Feature Car	Electric	Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E	Combines EV benefits with extensive over-the-air software updates and autonomous driving features.
"Smart" Feature Car	Plug-in Hybrid	Toyota RAV4 Prime	Offers electric-only range for local trips with a gas engine for longer journeys, plus smart tech.

[McElaina]

It totally depends on what you mean. The actual Smart car brand, you know, those tiny two-seaters, went all-electric a few years back. But if you're just talking about a regular car that has a big screen and can almost drive itself, that's different. My dad's new truck has all that fancy tech and it still runs on gas. So, both are correct, but for different reasons.

[ValerieRose]

From a brand perspective, Smart is now an electric-only marque. Mercedes-Benz made that decision to align with future mobility trends. However, the technology that makes a car "smart"—such as sensors, cameras, and computing power—is powertrain-agnostic. Automakers integrate these features into their entire lineup to meet consumer demand and regulatory safety standards, regardless of whether the vehicle is powered by gasoline, a battery, or both.

[OJulia]

I remember when the Smart car first came to the US, it was this quirky little gas-powered thing. Now, you don't even see those anymore. The new ones are 100% electric, which makes sense for a city car. But it's funny how language changes. Now when my neighbor says he got a "smart car," he might just mean his new SUV has a better navigation system than his phone. The word has evolved beyond just the brand name.

[KingLee]

The simplest way to think about it is this: "Smart" as a brand means electric. "Smart" as a feature means high-tech, and that tech can be added to any type of engine. The real connection is that electric cars are often the easiest to make the smartest, thanks to their built-in computing power. But you absolutely do not need to buy an electric vehicle to get advanced safety and connectivity features today. The market offers them across the board.