500e

500e is the electric variant of the Fiat 500, developed and sold by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) as part of its early efforts to introduce battery-powered driving in a small urban car. Introduced for the 2013 model year, the 500e was primarily marketed in California and Oregon in response to state zero-emission vehicle requirements, and only a limited number of units were produced between 2013 and 2014.

The 500e uses a front-mounted electric motor rated around 83 kW (111 hp) with torque near 199 Nm (147 lb-ft). It is equipped with a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery and carries an EPA-estimated range of roughly 84–87 miles on a full charge. Charging is via Level 2 AC, with typical home or public charging times of about 4–5 hours from empty, depending on the charger’s capacity. The car features a single-speed transmission and regenerative braking, with a top speed near 93 mph and a 0–60 mph time in the vicinity of 9 seconds.

Production and market context: FCA limited the 500e’s US production due to cost and regulatory considerations, and the electric variant was largely phased out after the 2014 model year, with remaining units sold through 2015 in some markets. The program is often cited in discussions of early modern electric city cars as an example of the challenges of electrifying a compact, mass-market vehicle.

Legacy: The 500e is distinct from later European and global Fiat 500 electric models introduced in subsequent years, but it remains part of the historical development of Fiat’s electric vehicle strategy and the broader move toward urban EVs.