Stellantis has announced plans to overhaul the platform of the Fiat 500 Electric, aiming to introduce a more affordable version of the popular small electric car. The Group intends to achieve this by introducing a new battery and electric drive.
The company is investing 100 million euros to enhance the Fiat 500e, with a focus on improving the customer experience and expanding production of the model. Specific details about the revision, including the new model’s features and pricing, have not yet been disclosed.
Currently, in the UK, the Fiat 500 Electric with a 23.8 kWh battery starts at £28,195, while the variant with a larger 42 kWh battery starts at £31,195. Fiat also launched an offer last summer to offset the discontinued e-mobility subsidy from the British government. Additionally, there are three-door and convertible versions, each slightly more expensive than the base model.
The Fiat 500 Electric, along with its variant, the Abarth 500e, is manufactured at the Mirafiori plant in Italy. While the announcement of the more affordable model was mentioned briefly in the press release, the primary focus was on the commencement of production of electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eDCTs) for new hybrid vehicles of Stellantis brands in Mirafiori.
Despite the ongoing transformation of the plant, it faces challenges in day-to-day operations. Production of the Fiat 500 Electric has been intermittently reduced due to factors such as battery shortages and demand fluctuations. The plant also produces the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio, with over 90% of these vehicles exported, contributing to Italy’s foreign trade balance.
Although there were rumors of Stellantis planning to enhance capacity utilization at the Turin plant by producing up to 150,000 low-cost electric cars per year from 2026 or 2027 with Chinese partner Leapmotor, this was not mentioned in the press release. Instead, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares emphasized the company’s commitment to defending its leadership position in Italy against all competition. The extended short-time work at the Mirafiori plant will now continue until 20 April.
