The fourtwo electric drive features a 55kW electric motor delivering 130Nm of torque and goes from 0 to 60km/h in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 125km/h. A lithium-ion battery with 17.6 kWh provides enough energy to cover a range of 145km.

The vehicle was presented to the Chinese public at the Guangzhou Motor Show this month.

The company said that, as the world's largest automotive market today already, China will also play a pivotal role in boosting market penetration of alternative drive systems thanks to the supportive environment created by the Chinese government. It added that experts forecast that China could become the world's largest market for such vehicles as well.

Dr Annette Winkler, head of smart, said: ‘Our smart electric drive was one of the first all-electric cars and is the clear market leader in Germany. We are now bringing this successful vehicle to China, and are the first European manufacturer to launch an all-electric car on this market. Offering powerful driving pleasure with zero local emissions, the smart electric drive is perfectly suited to China's big cities.’