In a surprising move, Mercedes-Benz’s newly launched EQ electric brand won’t be using any of the past EQ concept cars as its vanguard model. That distinction now rests on the shoulders of the smart EQ ForTwo, EQ ForTwo Cabrio, and ForFour. Yes, the troika of smart models will spearhead Mercedes’ EQ electric brand as it tries to establish a foothold in the growing segment.

There’s a lot of pressure that comes with being the first series-produced vehicles to come out of Mercedes’ EQ family. That’s the responsibility these three smart models now appear to share. Fortunately, there seems to be a lot of support behind this decision, including from the head-decision maker of the company. “Smart is electric, innovative, intelligent and totally unique, or in three words each: 'smart EQ Fortwo' and 'smart EQ Forfour'," smart CEO Dr. Annette Winkler said. "With the smart EQ Fortwo/Forfour, we are putting the first products from the Mercedes-Benz Cars EQ family on urban roads and showing how much fun electric mobility can be."

While that may be true, it’s still a big responsibility to handle. The success of the EQ brand will be dependent on the kind of all-electric models Mercedes can develop. There’s no doubt that the German automaker can do it, but to give smart first dibs means that it’s also responsible for all the first impressions people will have of the EQ brand. Is that a gamble worth taking? Mercedes apparently thinks so.

In keeping with the occasion, smart is even rolling out a trio of special edition EQ models, all of which are carrying the “Nightsky Edition” label and are based on the first three EQ models. All three special edition smart models are dressed identically in black with matching EQ blue trim throughout the body and interior. The latter is presumably the reason the special edition models are labeled as “Nightsky Editions.”

In addition to these models, the three new smart EQ models will also get a new 22 kW onboard charger that will be available by May 2018. According to the German automaker, this onboard charger will make it possible for the car’s batteries to be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just under 40 minutes. The price of availing them, excluding the car, of course, sits at €840, or a little over $1,000 based on current exchange rates.

Daimler also announced a new ‘smart EQ control’ mobile app to access a few feature of the smart EQ electric cars. Like the onboard charger, the app will be available sometime in 2018. Unlike the onboard charger, the app can’t actually recharge the car’s batteries. What it can do, though, is help owners keep track of the status of their electric rides, right down to receiving push notifications on important elements about the car.

There’s a narrative where Mercedes’ decision to use smart vehicles as the first models to get the EQ designation could go wrong. But give credit to the German automaker for making the unconventional move. Just as it’s a curious move, there’s another side to it that makes sense given that smart’s whole identity is built on the foundation of mobility. What better way to showcase that and the company’s fledgling electrification technology than to put them together?

References

Read our full speculative review on the 2018 Smart ForTwo EQ.

Read our full review on the 2017 Smart Vision EQ Fortwo Concept.

Read our full review on the 2017 Smart ForTwo.

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.