Description
With its retro styling and cheerful, characterful demeanour the FIAT 500 has proved to be as successful as the original was back in 1957. It’s a city car that has more charm than most of the euro-boxes so it makes absolute sense to bring it right up to date with electrification. The new car will be available next year but initially only in the USA, where it will replace the existing American 500e. The rest of the world will have to wait and see, but FIAT are making a huge investment so there is no reason to suppose Europe won’t get one. There’s no reason why this should not be as much fun as the current fossil-fuelled versions. Cable charging will be conventional, possibly Type 1. Initial images show a more streamlined look over the current models.
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FIAT 500e City Charging Cable FAQs
What sort of range will it have?
Given the diminutive size the battery pack has to fit. The Italian brand have stated they expect the car to do 87 miles on a single charge, without factoring in the amount of energy the car can recover while braking. On a good day then, maybe 100 miles; fine for city mileage. This is in line with the current USA model.
How long will it take to charge?
Early test from the USA state that from empty to full maybe twenty-four hours on a standard home supply. The UK supply will be faster and much improved by a wall box and a faster rated charging cable.
What is it like to drive?
If this EV is anything like the regular models then it will be enormous fun with the added benefit of improved performance of around 111bhp thanks to the instant nature of electric drive. Certainly American buyers seem to love their current model 500e.
It’s going to be more expensive, isn’t it?
Undoubtedly yes but consider the benefits with cheaper fuel and no problems with city ULEZ zones. It is a car for the city after all.
