Fiat wants to make the electric 500 more affordable

The Stellantis Group is redesigning the Fiat 500 Elektro platform. The aim is to create a more affordable version of a fully electric minivan with a new battery and a new electric motor.

They are investing 100 million euros to “increase the capacity of the Fiat 500 Electric,” according to a statement from Stellantis. The more affordable version aims to improve the customer experience and expand model production. The group has yet to reveal details.

In Germany, the Elektro 500 with a 23.8 kWh battery costs at least 29,490 euros. The model is currently available as part of an offer starting at 24,490 euros. The large 42 kWh battery pack starts at 34,990 euros (29,990 euros as part of the campaign). There are also body versions 3+1 and convertible, each of which is more expensive than the three-door model.

The Fiat 500 Elektro and the sporty offshoot Abarth 500e are manufactured at the Mirafiori plant in Italy. Production of the Fiat 500 Electric had to be cut back time and time again in the past, due to lack of components such as batteries or demand. In addition to the electric 500 like the Fiat and Abarth, the Maserati GranTurismo and Maserati GranCabrio are also manufactured there.

Recently there were reports that Stellantis wanted to improve utilization at the Turin plant by building up to 150,000 low-cost electric cars per year from its Chinese partner Leapmotor from 2026 or 2027. These will also be sold by Stellantis’ European dealers. But that’s not official yet.

It is also not yet confirmed that Fiat will also offer a new 500 with a combustion engine in the future. In addition to the new 500 with an electric drive, the brand currently sells the previous generation with combustion engines. However, this period will expire soon because it does not comply with the upcoming European Union directives on internet security. According to insiders, the smaller 500, which has so far only been offered in electric mode, could have a hybrid petrol engine as an alternative.