Tiny electric Smart car will also have smallest price

The battery-powered version of the small Smart car is also going to have the smallest price tag for an electric car from a major maker.

Smart USA, which is now part of Mercedes-Benz, says it is going to price the two-seater at $25,000 before tax rebates. The convertible version, called the cabriolet will retail at $28,000 when both come to the U.S. next spring. The base price is about $8,000 less than other electrics like the Nissan Leaf.

"A signature characteristic of the Smart brand is its commitment not only to being green but to making people think differently about it," said Tracey Matura, general manager of Smart in a statement. "Green can be fun. Green can be affordable. And a lot of us don't really need a four-seater, or at least not for every trip."

Now that it's part of Mercedes and there's an actual ad budget, the Smart is selling better. Sales have almost doubled in the first nine months compared to the same period last year.

The Smart electric won't exactly have blazing speed. It will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in about 12 seconds. No word on range, but it will recharge from 20% to 80% of its lithium-ion battery's capacity in less than four hours on a 240-volt socket.