The 2024 Fiat 500e heralds the comeback of an electric vehicle that Fiat once discouraged Americans from buying. Back then, Fiat believed the timing wasn’t right for the original 500e. However, the arrival of the new version, expected in early 2024, seems to be perfectly timed.
The initial Fiat 500e was available only in California and Oregon, made primarily to comply with California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate. Early EV enthusiasts appreciated its affordable price and retro design, which were inspired by the gasoline-powered Fiat 500 of the same era. Nonetheless, Sergio Marchionne, who led Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (the company that preceded the current parent company Stellantis), admitted that the company lost money on each car and even hoped customers wouldn’t buy it.
This time around, things are different. Unveiled in 2021 and already available in Europe, the new 500e still offers a modern take on the iconic 1950s Fiat 500. Unlike its predecessor, which was a modified gasoline car, the new 500e is designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Fiat isn’t building this model just to meet regulatory demands; there isn’t even a gasoline version in the lineup this time.
Although the 2024 500e is larger than the previous generation last sold in the U.S. in 2019, it remains a compact car. With a launch weight of 2,952 pounds, it’s one of the lightest electric vehicles on the market, according to Fiat. This makes it lighter than the similarly small Mini Cooper SE, offering a refreshing contrast to the trend of increasingly heavier electric trucks and SUVs. Think of it as the opposite of the Hummer EV.
The 500e is powered by a single electric motor delivering 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, enabling a top speed of 94 mph. Its 42-kilowatt-hour battery provides an estimated range of 149 miles. It features a Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connector for DC fast charging at up to 85 kilowatts, which allows for an 80% charge in just 35 minutes. A full charge using a Level 2 AC home charger takes about four hours and 15 minutes.
The 500e comes with expected tech features but doesn’t go overboard. It includes a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen running the same Uconnect 5 infotainment system found in other Stellantis models, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration. Basic driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist are also standard.
Fiat will initially release the 500e in a special “(RED Edition)” in collaboration with the AIDS charity (RED), co-founded by U2’s Bono. This edition is priced at $34,095. Additional variants will be launched periodically as limited editions, similar to fashion product drops. Fiat also plans to streamline the purchasing process by offering at least part of it online while maintaining its traditional dealership network.
The new 500e arrives at a time when there are very few small, affordable electric vehicles. It will certainly stand out in Stellantis’ planned North American EV lineup, which includes a Ram pickup truck, a Dodge muscle car, and several Jeep SUVs. So while the original 500e might have been introduced too early, the timing for this new version couldn’t be better.