A Croatian electric vehicle service company is breathing new life into Mercedes-Benz’s discontinued micro EVs by fitting them with repurposed LG batteries, offering a glimpse into how older electric cars can be kept on the road long after manufacturers stop supporting them.
Zagreb-based EV Clinic has launched a new battery retrofit program for the Smart Fortwo 451 Electric Drive, the compact two-seater originally developed under Mercedes-Benz’s Smart brand. Instead of sending aging EVs to the scrapyard, the company installs LG Energy Solution battery packs that were originally designed for Renault’s Twingo electric cars. The refurbished 22 kWh packs deliver up to 200 kilometers, or roughly 124 miles, of range on a full charge—enough to make the tiny city car practical again.
The Smart 451 ED, introduced in 2009 and updated in 2012, became a popular urban commuter vehicle in Europe. But when production ended in 2023 and official battery support disappeared, many owners were left with cars that could no longer hold a charge. EV Clinic’s retrofit program now gives these vehicles a second life, allowing them to return to the streets with upgraded performance.
“The lifespan of an EV doesn’t have to end after 12 years,” EV Clinic said in a statement. “By replacing the battery system with modern technology, there’s no reason to scrap a car over a single faulty component.” The company has begun accepting pre-orders from the first 10 customers interested in the service.
While the program is currently focused on European owners, it underscores a broader issue for the global EV industry. Early models like the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, and Fiat 500e in the United States are also reaching the point where their original batteries are failing. A retrofit ecosystem like the one developed by EV Clinic could provide a cost-effective way to keep these vehicles on the road, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
EV Clinic specializes in electric vehicle diagnostics and battery management system repairs for models including the Mercedes EQC and various Teslas. Its latest project shows how second-life batteries can offer a sustainable alternative to scrapping aging EVs—potentially opening a new chapter for some of the smallest electric cars ever built.
