Fiat 500e: The Electric Third-Generation 500 from Mirafiori to Milan

The Fiat 500e is the battery-electric third generation of Fiat's 500 city car, built at Mirafiori in Turin from 2020. It was launched in Milan in March 2020 and later gained an Abarth performance version, a Hybrid variant and a run of designer editions.

Where did the Fiat 500e come from?

The Fiat 500e, also known as the 500 elettrica and internally as project 332, is the third generation of the 500 city car. It follows the original 500 that ran from 1957 to 1975 and the second-generation 500 that was built from 2007 to 2024. The new car was launched on 4 March 2020 in Milan, after its planned debut at the Geneva Motor Show was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The electric 500 had an earlier cousin. FCA assembled a different model also called the 500e at its Toluca Car Assembly plant in Mexico from December 2012 to June 2019. That car was a battery-electric version of the second-generation 2007 Fiat 500, and it was sold only in a limited number of US states.

An electric 500 built on a new platform at Mirafiori, with a performance Abarth version and a run of designer one-offs.

How was the electric 500 developed?

Sergio Marchionne called for FCA to move towards electric and hybrid cars from 2018, and it wanted an all-new electric 500e on sale by 2020. At Geneva in March 2019 the company unveiled the Fiat Centoventi concept. It previewed a battery-electric Fiat Panda, a model thought likely to underpin the next electric 500, and it showcased a modular battery concept with dealer-installed packs for extra range.

In July 2019 FCA said it would put 700 million euros into Mirafiori for a new line that would build its first battery-electric car for Europe, provisionally called the 500 BEV. Capacity was planned at 80,000 units a year, with output due to begin in the second quarter of 2020. In October 2019 the company added another 50 million euros for a battery production line at Mirafiori. Camouflaged prototypes were photographed testing in December 2019.

When the car was finally revealed in Milan, FCA Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Francois explained that the event was held there to show that the company stood close to Milan and to Italy. The unveiling took place during the pandemic, and the public launch went ahead without the Geneva stage that had been planned.

How does the 500e compare with the old 500?

The new car rides on an all-new platform and is a little larger than the second-generation design. It measures 60 mm (2.4 in) longer and 60 mm (2.4 in) wider. It is 40 mm (1.6 in) taller, and its wheelbase grows by 20 mm (0.79 in). Those changes give the electric car more interior room than its predecessor.

The second-generation 500 continued alongside the new car. It was built with a petrol engine or a mild-hybrid drivetrain, and it was made at Tychy in Poland until 2024. A variant of the new car uses the mild-hybrid drivetrain from the older model and is sold as the 500 Ibrida, assembled alongside the 500e at Mirafiori.

What models and trims were offered?

At launch the 500e was available only as a two-door cabriolet with four seats, in the La Prima trim. Production was limited to 500 examples per country, and the launch editions were priced from 37,900 euros in Italy before any local incentives. La Prima came in Mineral Grey, Ocean Green or Celestial Blue, colours chosen to echo the earth, sea and sky, and the soft top carried an exclusive monogram logo.

A three-door hatchback arrived in June 2020, priced from 26,995 pounds in the UK. In October 2020 Fiat added a four-door hatchback called 3+1, or Trepiuno, which had a small rear-hinged door on the passenger side to make the back seat easier to reach. That model was offered only with left-hand drive.

Britain's entry model, the Action, was a three-door with a smaller 24 kWh battery and a price of 22,995 pounds. The Passion and Icon models, which used the 42 kWh battery, were priced at 26,495 pounds and 27,995 pounds. La Prima remained the top of the range at 30,495 pounds. In autumn 2021 Fiat added a Product Red edition with the 42 kWh battery, in both hatchback and convertible forms. The Passion trim was later withdrawn in the UK only.

Were there designer and limited editions?

Yes. Three designer one-offs were revealed alongside the car. The auction proceeds from the 500 Giorgio Armani, the B.500 by Bvlgari and the 500 Kartell went to environmental charities founded by Leonardo DiCaprio. The Kartell and Bvlgari cars were made through a partnership between FCA and Altagamma.

The Armani car had its steel body panels engraved with lasers and given a matte grey-green silk-like coating with anti-pollution and anti-bacterial properties. Its seats used similar leather from certified sources. After its unveiling in front of the Duomo Cathedral, it toured Milan as a message of optimism for the city.

The B.500 used an Imperial Saffron orange paint finish with gold dust reclaimed from Bvlgari's jewellery work. Recycled silk scarves covered the dashboard, a steering wheel brooch was set with amethyst, topaz and citrine, and a gold key set with an ancient coin could be worn as jewellery. The Kartell car was painted in a monochrome Kartell blue, and its seats were upholstered in 100% recycled polypropylene.

Fiat had collaborated on limited editions before. Frida Giannini of Gucci worked with Fiat Centro Stile on a special edition of the 2007 Fiat 500 that was released in 2011.

How fast is the Abarth 500e?

The Nuova Abarth 500e is the high-performance version of the electric 500. Its official debut came on 22 November 2022, and sales began in 2023, with scorpion-badged alloy wheels and a launch edition called Scorpionissima limited to 1,949 examples. Scorpionissima cars came in Acid Green or Poison Blue, with unique side graphics and wheels.

Its single electric motor delivers 113.7 kW (152.5 hp), with 235 N m (173 lbf ft) of torque. Over the standard motor that is an extra 26.7 kW (35.8 hp), plus 15 N m (11 lbf ft), and the 0-100 km/h time falls to 7 seconds. The gains came from improved inverter and battery wiring, a shorter final-drive ratio and disc brakes replacing the standard car's rear drums.

Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track are the three driving settings. In Turismo the car is held to 100 kW (130 hp), with torque capped at 220 N m (160 lbf ft). Scorpion Street maximises regenerative braking so that the car feels like a manual with engine braking, while Scorpion Track trades range for speed. According to the maker testing at Balocco, the Abarth ran laps one second faster than the Abarth 695.

The Abarth weighs 1,410 kg (3,110 lb), including a battery of 295 kg (650 lb). Its battery has a gross capacity of 42.2 kWh and a net capacity of 37.3 kWh.

How far can the 500e go on a charge?

On the European WLTP combined cycle the 500e is rated at 320 km (199 mi), and the urban part of that test gives 400 km (249 mi). Most versions run an 87 kW (117 hp) motor, supplied by a 42 kWh lithium-ion pack. The urban figure matters because the cycle favours electric cars in town driving.

The Abarth has a claimed WLTP range of 264 km (164 mi) on the standard 17-inch wheels. Choosing 18-inch wheels trims that to 253 km (157 mi), and mixed driving on those wheels produced 212 km (132 mi) in real use, or 3.4 mi/kWh.

The 42 kWh car is rated at 14.3 kWh/100 km (146 mpg-e), and the Abarth at 18.1 kWh/100 km (116 mpg-e) on the same test. The smaller battery also saves 100 kg (220 lb) in weight.

How quickly does the 500e charge?

The 42 kWh models take DC fast charging at up to 85 kW; the 24 kWh base car is capped at 50 kW. At 85 kW, five minutes of charging adds enough energy to travel 50 km (31 mi). The 42 kWh battery goes from 0 to 80% in 35 minutes at 85 kW, and the 24 kWh battery goes from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes.

Every car has an on-board AC charger rated up to 11 kW. A CCS Combo Type 2 inlet sits on the rear right fender for both AC and DC charging, while North American cars use a CCS Combo Type 1 connector. The Launch Edition also included the easyWallbox, a home charger developed by Engie for FCA. It supplies 2.3 kW from a normal home socket and can be upgraded to 7.4 kW.

What equipment and safety features does the 500e have?

It is the first city car offering level 2 autonomy, and the first FCA model fitted with the UConnect 5 infotainment system. The driver assistance package covers emergency braking that detects people on foot and cyclists, a speed assistant, lane control, adaptive cruise control with lane centring, and an emergency call function.

UConnect 5 runs on a 10.25-inch (260 mm) touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. It can call the emergency services automatically and can also be linked to a smartphone app to monitor the car or control some functions remotely.

EU rules require electric vehicles to make a noise at low speed so pedestrians can hear them. Most cars use a spaceship-like tone, but the 500e plays a piece from Amarcord, a score by Nino Rota, whenever it cruises below 20 km/h (12 mph). Fiat said other sounds would be downloadable in future.

How does the 500e drive?

The 500e is offered with two motor and battery combinations. The UK Action pairs a 70 kW (94 bhp) motor with a 24 kWh pack (21.2 kWh usable), charging at up to 50 kW. The Passion, Icon, Red and La Prima versions use an 87 kW (117 hp) motor, a 42 kWh battery with 37.3 kWh usable, and an 85 kW charger.

The larger battery and stronger motor give a top speed limit of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a 0-100 km/h time of 9.0 seconds. The smaller battery is 9.5 seconds to 100 km/h and is limited to 135 km/h (84 mph). Both versions cover the 0-50 km/h sprint in 3.1 seconds.

The car's driving settings are Normal, Range and Sherpa. Sherpa limits speed to 80 km/h (50 mph), reduces accelerator response and switches off climate control and heated seats to save energy. Range mode allows one-pedal driving, with strong regenerative braking when the throttle is lifted.

How did sales and production go?

Production began on 18 February 2020 at the new Mirafiori line, and it was paused on 13 March 2020 during Italy's nationwide lockdown. By August 2022 the 500e was the best-selling electric car in Italy. Sales in Europe and the United States have since been weaker, and fewer than 500 units were sold in the US in 2024, the year the car was reintroduced there.

Sales started in Europe in 2020, and Brazil and Israel followed in 2021. Exports to the US were said to depend on sufficient demand. Poor sales led Stellantis to pause production at Mirafiori in Turin.

What is the North American 500e?

At the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, Fiat displayed three special 500e-based concepts designed by Armani, Kartell and Bvlgari. Showing the North American car at the 2023 event was the plan, with retail sales pencilled in for early 2024 as a 2024 model. Stellantis was absent from the 2023 show, and the car made its web debut on 6 December.

North American building started at Mirafiori Assembly in February 2024. Product Red cars could be ordered from some dealers in the US, British Columbia and Quebec from that month, first in red and later in white and black. The American car uses the 87 kW (117 hp) motor and 42 kWh battery, with an estimated EPA range of 149 mi (240 km) and an energy figure of 116 mpg-e, or 18.1 kWh/100 km.

Three further trims were released later. Inspired By Music comes only in black with a JBL Premium Audio system, Inspired By Beauty comes only in rose gold with embroidered seats, and Inspired By Los Angeles combines the features of the other two in a blue-grey called Marine Layer Mist. During testing Ars Technica recorded 12.4 kWh/100 km (169 mpg-e) in Range mode, better than the estimate.

What about the Fiat 600e and the 500 Hybrid?

The Fiat 600e, shown on 4 July 2023, is a crossover SUV that takes its styling cues from the 500e. It is a different vehicle that takes its design cues from the 500e.

The 500 Hybrid appeared in May 2025, adapted from the battery-electric 500e. It pairs a 1.0 Firefly petrol unit with 12V mild-hybrid assistance and a six-speed manual gearbox. Building began in November 2025, giving buyers a non-electric option in the same body.

Which rivals did the 500e face?

Rivals in the electric city-car class include the BMW i3, Honda e and the Mini Electric, which is called the Mini Cooper SE outside the UK. Others are the Peugeot e-208, the Renault Twingo Electric and Zoe, the Smart Forfour, and the SEAT Mii, Skoda Citigo and Volkswagen e-Up from the Volkswagen Group.

In 2021 the 500e was named Best Electric Small Car by the Belgian magazines Le Moniteur Automobile and AutoGids in their Best Car Awards.

What are the Fiat 500e specifications?

Read the table with the performance notes above. The 0-100 km/h times apply to the two standard battery options, and the Abarth figures apply only to the Nuova Abarth 500e.