Project Smart Enters Concept Gateway Phase 

Our in-house R&D initiative, Project Smart, has officially entered the concept gateway phase. This milestone marks the beginning of our journey to convert a gasoline-powered Smart Roadster into a battery electric vehicle (BEV). It is the critical first step where project ideas take shape - and we’re certainly not short of those! 

Why Gateway Project Management? 

To provide structure for Project Smart, we’ve elected to use the Gateway project management framework – a proven structure used by major OEMs to manage vehicle programmes. 

Originally developed in the USA, the framework provides a phased approach to manage complex projects through every phase of development. By following the same robust process as our OEM customers, we’re ensuring Project Smart is well structured from the outset.    

Key Gateway Stages 

What happens in the Concept gateway phase? 

This key first phase enables us to lock in the vehicle concept, fully understand cost implications and confirm funding for the next delivery stage. Our current priorities include: 

  • Identifying critical vehicle components - including optimal motor and battery solutions  
  • Designing the core vehicle architecture to integrate with our diagnostics and future features 
  • Engaging UK-based supply partners who share our quality, accreditation, and collaboration values 
  • Exploring opportunities for innovation and grant funding  

 

Meet EVie – a work in progress 

Thanks to our LinkedIn community poll, our project car now has a name – meet EVie!  EVie has now passed her MOT and is rocking a new set of tyres. Next up we’re getting her taxed and road ready for powertrain benchmarking over the summer.   

 

What’s next for Project Smart? 

There’s plenty on the blocks for the project team right now, including: 

  • Finalising the engineering concept  
  • Confirming our first supplier partnerships 
  • Collecting baseline performance data  
  • Benchmarking diagnostic tools and safety systems 
  • Finalising funding and plans ready for the delivery phase  
  • Mapping out future features 

 

Keep up to date with Project Smart - We’ll be keeping our community updated online as EVie develops - follow us on LinkedIn.   

Interested in collaborating? We’ve lots in store for EVie.

If you're a potential supplier, partner or interested collaborator, we’d love to hear from you - get in touch at [email protected]. 

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