New Tesla rival tested

When electric cars have the same hardware, prices and practicality, they will likely be separated by styling, software and ownership elements attracting different customers.

So it goes with the return of Smart cars in Australia – not as original and tiny city cars,

but clones of practical four-door EVs originally built by other brands.

Smart’s new cars are a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz (which designed the car) and Volvo’s parent company Geely (which builds them in China).

The Smart #1 – pronounced “hashtag one” – has the same underpinnings as a few electric cars including the new Volvo EX30.

It undercuts Volvo’s offering by a handy $10,000, but there is a catch.

Smart will only be sold through thre...
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