The small EV class is developing rapidly, yet Fiat has done nothing more to its electric 500 than change some coloured bits…
The fortunes of the Fiat 500e, since its European market introduction in 2021, tell the story of the faltering adoption of EVs on our continent in convenient microcosm. This is, of course, Fiat’s second and critically important ‘nuovo 500’. It was Fiat’s first all-electric offering - and was notably derided by former Stellantis group boss Carlos Tavares, after Fiat’s merger with PSA in 2021, because it used its own electric platform hardware rather than the e-CMP toolkit on which the rest of the group’s EV models were based. Technically as well as stylistically, then, this remains a car bold enough to go its own way. After a fairly strong start to life, sales of the 500e have slowed. In its first full calendar year in UK showrooms in 2022, Fiat UK sold almost 5000 examples; while in Europe, in 2023, it was the biggest-selling small EV. But while Fiat UK continues to sell more than 10,000 petrol 500s year by year, 500e numbers have dwindled to fewer than 1000. And there are now lots more rivals suddenly looming in the small EV class, looking likely to make a bad situation worse.So, with myriad other affordable EVs flooding onto the market, where is Turin’s electric 500 left in 2025?The Fiat 500e range at a glanceThe 500e offers a choice of two battery capacities, the smaller pack coming with a weaker electric motor. The 500e Cabrio, with its retractable fabric roof, is available only with the bigger battery.There is a choice of four trim levels: and, for now, they are a de-facto entry level trim, Red (as tested), La Prima and Georgio Armani Collector’s Edition.Entry-level and Red are similarly equipped and can be had with either battery and motor. La Prima and the Armani edition come with the 42kWh pack only.
