DRIV vs. SMOG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DRIV (Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF) and SMOG (VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DRIV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Solactive Autonomous & Electric Vehicles Index, while SMOG is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DRIV returned 9.49%/yr vs 1.76%/yr for SMOG. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DRIV charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SMOG.

Performance

DRIV vs. SMOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRIV achieves a 42.27% return, which is significantly higher than SMOG's 18.16% return.

DRIV

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 12.34%
• YTD: 42.27%
• 6M: 41.87%
• 1Y: 92.43%
• 3Y*: 21.80%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: —

SMOG

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 6M: 17.43%
• 1Y: 42.14%
• 3Y*: 10.86%
• 5Y*: 1.76%
• 10Y*: 12.70%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DRIV vs. SMOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DRIV Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF	42.27%	30.42%	-5.04%	26.14%	-34.13%	27.80%	62.76%	28.54%	-21.49%
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	18.16%	33.36%	-9.33%	1.42%	-29.92%	-2.75%	118.38%	38.86%	-11.22%

Correlation

The correlation between DRIV and SMOG is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2018	0.82

The correlation between DRIV and SMOG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

DRIV vs. SMOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DRIV	SMOG
Technology	34.0%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	26.8%	21.7%
Industrials	19.4%	28.1%
Basic Materials	14.4%	1.2%
Communication Services	5.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	6.6%
Financial Services	-	0.6%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	33.2%

Return for Risk

DRIV vs. SMOG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DRIV

DRIV Risk / Return Rank: 92
DRIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DRIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DRIV Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DRIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
DRIV Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SMOG

SMOG Risk / Return Rank: 66
SMOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SMOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SMOG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SMOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SMOG Martin Ratio Rank: 73

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DRIV vs. SMOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DRIV	SMOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.70	2.07	+1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.35	2.69	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.35	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.92	4.80	+2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.10	13.62	+10.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DRIV vs. SMOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRIV Sharpe Ratio is 3.70, which is higher than the SMOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRIV and SMOG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DRIV	SMOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70	2.07	+1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.07	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.07	+0.47

Drawdowns

DRIV vs. SMOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRIV drawdown since its inception was -41.93%, smaller than the maximum SMOG drawdown of -84.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRIV and SMOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRIV	SMOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.93%	-84.39%	+42.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.43%	-8.82%	-4.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.18%	-28.72%	-5.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.93%	-47.86%	+5.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-14.61%	+13.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.13%	-52.47%	+37.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	3.10%	+0.75%

Volatility

DRIV vs. SMOG - Volatility Comparison

Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV) has a higher volatility of 9.36% compared to VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) at 7.43%. This indicates that DRIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRIV	SMOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	7.43%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.29%	15.46%	+3.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.14%	20.49%	+4.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.07%	25.12%	+1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.40%	25.73%	+1.67%

DRIV vs. SMOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRIV has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SMOG's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRIV vs. SMOG - Dividend Comparison

DRIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than SMOG's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DRIV Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF	0.75%	1.07%	2.07%	1.62%	1.24%	0.32%	0.29%	1.23%	2.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	1.33%	1.57%	1.64%	1.58%	1.32%	0.44%	0.06%	0.00%	0.62%	1.25%	2.12%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRIV and SMOG in my portfolio?

DRIV and SMOG have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRIV or SMOG?

DRIV has higher volatility (9.36%) compared to SMOG (7.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRIV dropped -41.93% vs SMOG's -84.39%.

Which ETF is better, DRIV or SMOG?

On 5-year performance, DRIV leads with 9.49% vs 1.76% for SMOG. On fees, SMOG is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, SMOG has been the lower-risk option at 7.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DRIV or SMOG?

Over the 5-year period, DRIV has performed better with a 9.49% return vs 1.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DRIV or SMOG?

SMOG is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for DRIV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DRIV or SMOG?

SMOG has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.75% for DRIV.

What is the main difference between DRIV and SMOG?

DRIV is categorized as Global Equities, while SMOG is Alternative Energy Equities. DRIV tracks Solactive Autonomous & Electric Vehicles Index, while SMOG tracks MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for DRIV and 0.61% for SMOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.70 vs 2.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.