Electric Car News - Your Definitive Guide to the Smart Hashtag 5 Brabus EV Lease

The Smart Hashtag 5 Brabus EV Lease - Your Definitive Guide

The reality is that EVs are moving in the right direction, with manufacturers now essentially innovating “cars of the future” for 2026. The engineering and research is allowing new products to meets the demands of the UK’s personal and business leasing markets.

While there are still obvious hurdles, for example solutions for EV drivers with no off-road parking / no charge point at home, the community is now addressing these alongside the political and economic powers. But is the approach and structure working? The SMMT have now created the car registration results for February 2026. This can be summarised as per the below:

•  90,100 total registrations (which is a 7.2% year on year improvement)
•  21,840 EVs registered (which is a 2.8% improvement on 2025)

•  EVs have a market share of 24.2% in Feb 2026 (compared to 25.3% in 2025)

The UK has experienced significant growth in the PHEV segment, which is a 43.5% increase on 2025! As noted in the SMMT market review, there are some heartening increases in the volume of vehicle sales for Feb 2026, as the UK looks set to return to an era of prosperity.

While EV uptake has increased in terms of volume of sales, the actual share of the market remains below the ZEV Mandate expectations. With petrol and diesel provisionally due to be “banned” in 2030, there is concern on the actual practicality surrounding this. One topic which may be hampering this transition is the recent consultation surrounding the eVED proposals. 

One of the major benefits of going into an electric car was the lack of road fund licence obligations (RFL / Road Tax / VED). In the UK, the more polluting your vehicle is, the more expensive the road fund licence will be. Every car will have a CO2 metric shown as g/km, so a customer can calculate their tax exposure.

However, an EV emits no CO2 and therefore the Government rewarded the driver with no road fund licence payments. However, with increasing volumes of all-electric vehicles being sold and leased, the Government now have a quandary as to how to bring about additional tax revenues to fill this void.

As a result, a  Government Consultation  has been launched to investigate the proposition of an Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED). The new mileage charge will apply to both pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, with the charge set to commence in April 2028 (if it happens).

The current discussion has been around a 3 pence per mile charge for fully electric options with a PHEV to receive a 1.5 pence charge. There is no confirmation as yet on how exactly this would be applied or calculated.

But is it “wrong tax, wrong time” as per the suggestions of the BVRLA The feeling in the industry is that this is quite a significant proposal and is being talked and discussed around in a short space of time, with little opportunity for constructive feedback.

The concern is that the leasing brokers, dealerships and finance companies operating the 750,000+ EVs are going to be destabilised by the political proposals. The BVRLA are not suggesting that the Government should not be working to ensure that the coffers are left empty in the wake of the changes.

This is more about policy coherence and ensuring that fleets are able to meet the EV adoption targets. Directly impacting EVs at this stage could push PCH and BCH further away from zero-emissions and persistently keep them at the 25% market share which is currently happening in the UK, as per the SMMT. There needs to be a rethink as to how the UK applies charges and taxation to its motorists without suppressing the market.

Amazing cars like the Smart 5 Brabus are helping individuals and fleets to make the transition into EV. With some of the UK’s leading charging times and range functionality, the award-winning SUV could be the performance family car of choice.

From £51,800 this includes some fantastic specification including panoramic halo roof, electric roof blind, concealed door handles, LED tail lamps, gesture tailgate, automatic lights, privacy glass, electrically adjustable/heated/memory door mirrors, 21” alloys, acoustic glass, sporty body style.

Alcantara steering wheels, ventilated front seats electrically powered seats, lumbar support for seats, heated front seats, memory seats, sport pedals, LED interior lights, climate control, heat pump, ambient lighting, keyless entry, 360 degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, automatic parking assist, lane keep assist.

Blind spot detection, collision mitigation, lane departure system, smart pilot assist, 10.25” HD instrument client, HUD, 12.5” OLD central screen, Sennheiser sound system, Apple CarPlay, navigation, wireless phone charger, digital key and NFC key card.

Key colours on the Smart 5 EV include Meta Black, Atom Grey, Digital White and Laser Red. You can choose between the Eclipse Black and Radiant Roof too.

Create a bespoke Smart 5 option at the Smart website.

In terms of batteries and performance, the EV will operate as per the below:

•  Brabus - an AWD car, this has a 94kWh usable lithium battery which will deliver 0 – 62 times of 3.8 seconds, 130 mph top speeds and 475 kW (or 637hp). Expect a combined winter range of 235 miles with warmer weather allowing for 315 miles - a combined 280 miles. On charging, the 22 kW AC max will allow 5 hours and 30 minute 0 – 100% charging times with the 400 kW DC maximum allowing 18 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 630L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 121 mpg. This EV will have Bidirectional charging - a 3.3kW AC exterior adapter (V2L). The car will arrive with a heat pump as standard and the car will be able to tow 750kg (Unbraked) and 1600kg (Braked); 

In terms of the car shown, the Smart Hashtag 5 475kW Brabus 100kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease, this is based on the following configuration:

• Matte - Atom grey
•  Dynamic leather - Brabus
•  21'' Monoblock Z alloy wheels  

Want to know more about going into the all-new #5?

Head to our dedicated Smart special offers section or speak to our experts directly on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]