New hybrid EV by China's Geely, Mercedes offers 1,000-mile range

The Smart #5 EHD is the first plug-in hybrid SUV from Smart, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely. It features a 40 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery from CATL paired with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 161 horsepower. The hybrid system primarily uses the gasoline engine as a generator, enabling an estimated total driving range of nearly 1,000 miles (995 miles by Chinese standards, approximately 620 miles in real-world conditions). The vehicle offers about 155 miles of pure electric range and fuel efficiency around 53 miles per gallon. It also supports fast charging, replenishing its battery in under 15 minutes, and includes advanced driver-assistance features suggested by a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. Currently, the Smart #5 is available in all-electric versions with multiple trims offering rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options, horsepower ranging from 335 to 460, and ranges between 354 and 461 miles depending on battery size and