The wallbox can be installed in a private garage, parking space at home or public parking lot.

And "the running cost is surprisingly low", said Winkler. "The Smart ed only consumes 14.5 kW/h per hundred kilometers, which equivalent to about 7 yuan. And the maintenance cost is much lower than a conventional car. A Smart ed only cost 500 yuan per 10,000 km of driving."

For those with safety concerns, she said there has been no serious accident with the Smart ed's battery.

The battery and vehicle both enjoy a three-year warranty with free roadside assistance.

Though the central government currently only provides favorable policies including subsidies to locally produced new-energy vehicles, Winkler told China Daily that Smart is "actively communicating with regional governments city by city for some incentive or local support".

"It will be a win-win-win situation, not only for Smart and its fans, but also for the city itself," said Winkler. "The Smart saves space, is good for environment with zero emissions and produces 50 percent less noise."

"It could be non-cash incentives such as free parking or free access to a license plate in Beijing, or zero payment for the plate in Shanghai," said Lescow. "I am personally positive on it."

"With the Smart ed we prove once again that Smart is the pacesetter for urban mobility and you truly feel 'being different, being smart'," said Winkler.